Olympia is holding off on transitioning its fire engine fleet to electric power due to concerns over the specialized charging requirements and higher price tags of current electric models.
"The current electric fire truck technology is not quite there yet for the size and needs of the Olympia Fire Department," said Adam Cummings, chief mechanic for the Olympia Fire Department. "And our infrastructure to add the charging capacity at all of our locations is not quite there yet, because the charters they require are large – an equivalent of almost two households of power supplied to them."
The electric fire trucks require much charging capacity that the department's infrastructure is not ready for."
At Monday's Planning Commission finance subcommittee meeting, Cummings explained that electric fire trucks are about 250% more expensive than regular diesel or gas-powered models. While larger fire departments across the country have begun adopting electric trucks, the costs and infrastructure challenges make it impractical for Olympia at this time.
"We're closely watching the development of electric fire truck technology, but it's just not a good fit for our needs and budget right now," Cummings added.
Cummings shared that the fire department's new diesel and gas-powered fire trucks on order will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90-98% compared to its existing vehicles.
In the same meeting, OFD Deputy Chief Mike Buchanan voiced concerns about the potential public safety implications of the city's plans to increase housing density and create more walkable neighborhoods.
Buchanan mentioned the challenges they foresee in adapting their fleet and operations to serve a dense, more compact urban environment.
"We alter the tools that we use to match the community and where we're at," Buchanan explained. "As the future changes, and as our city changes, the hazards will change and the apparatus that we use will change with them."
The Olympia Fire Department's large fire engines are designed to handle a wide range of emergencies – medical calls, response to fires, vehicle accidents, elevator problems, or hazardous materials. But Buchanan acknowledged that as the city's streets become narrower and more interconnected, these bulky vehicles may no longer be the optimal choice.
"If engines become smaller, we carry water on inches. If engines become smaller, we'll need another vehicle to cover the special operation side," the fire official said. "We need to be cognizant of that. Any of these changes would be measured, and they would be regional, and they would match fire services we change."
"In my time as a firefighter, I have seen the density increase, roads get smaller and narrower, and that is already happening. I expect that there will be more zoning and more code adoptions that will influence the tools we use and the way we operate," Buchanan said, adding, "The future will look different for the vehicles we choose."
However, Buchanan said that making a "hard left turn" to purchase small fire engines similar to those used in Europe would create conflicts with their mutual aid partners.
Buchanan added that any changes to their equipment need to "match the hazard that we're in and the way that we deploy and assist each other."
Buchanan assured that the department's fire engines do not impede the city's zoning goals for increased density, saying that they can adjust their equipment and operations as the community changes.
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Southsoundguy
Electric trucks are a terrible idea.
5 days ago Report this
Skywarrior-Pilot
Just as in the storybook, Little Engine Number 9, when the "Smith Building" catches fire you may have to pump overnight. There is no battery big enough for that. Clean diesel, is just fine!
5 days ago Report this
BobJacobs
This statement caught my eye: "the fire department's new diesel and gas-powered fire trucks on order will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90-98% compared to its existing vehicles."
Sounds like magic. Why does the article not explain how this is possible?
Bob Jacobs
5 days ago Report this
MartyKenney
I would love to see statistics on how often the fire truck is used to fight fires. Having a strategic fleet that is smaller and more versatile seems like a great option as we change what the priorities of the fire department actually are. If the FD could use a Nissan leaf for 50% of the homeless calls or nursing home calls, I think we would be making huge strides in efficiency.
I also agree with Bob Jacobs, tell us more about these 98% more efficient vehicles!!
5 days ago Report this
HappyOlympian
Loved seeing the massive ladder truck attending to the homeless fellow passed out on the corner in my neighborhood. 3 total vehicles and several personnel to assist one intoxicated guy. Clearly, we were misinformed when we voted down the RFA.
Yesterday at 9:36 AM Report this