Memorandum 17-094 HVFD ATV and Rescue Skid

Memorandum 17-094

TO:                        Katie Koester, City Manager

THROUGH:       Robert Painter, Fire Chief

FROM:                 Dan Miotke, Captain

DATE:                   June 14, 2017

SUBJECT:          Purchase of New ATV and Rescue Skid Unit

The Homer Volunteer Fire Department has witnessed an increase in medical responses off road on the local beaches and trails. Our current response equipment is a 2002 ATV with 15 years of service that has taken its toll on the frame and electrical system. This unit pulls a rescue trailer for packaging and transporting a patient. The trailer is still in good usable condition and can be used for transporting equipment and an additional patient if needed. We are requesting a new, “side by side” ATV, with a bed mounted “skid unit” that incorporates room to transport a supine patient and a care provider in the bed of the ATV. We feel that this configuration will provide for a smoother ride for the patient and allow closer observation than the trailer system, as the care provider sits beside the patient instead of at the end of the trailer. 

In the last 2 months we have we have evaluated 6 different units from 3 local businesses. We have concluded that our best option is the CanAm Defender, supplied by All Seasons Honda of Homer. We have test driven each of the units quoted and conferred with the manufacturer of the bed mounted skid unit, KimTek, for compatibility and they have confirmed great success with this combination. All Seasons Honda provided the lowest bid quoted at $14,000 with a government discount offered by CanAm. The KimTek Medic Response slide in transport module has been quoted at $4,095 FOB Homer. We will install the skid unit in-house to save money. Funding for this package will come from the Fire Department Donation Account that has a balance of over $40,000.

Thank you for your consideration; this package will allow the Fire Department to respond to off road emergencies quicker with the sound mind of knowing the equipment will be response ready. Most importantly, it will give us the ability to perform better patient care.