TO: Committee of the Whole - Public Safety and Human Services
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Fire |
Adrian Sheppard |
425-556-2200 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Fire |
Ameé Virelle |
Deputy Fire Chief |
TITLE:
title
Acceptance of a Washington State Department of Ecology Grant Award in the Amount of $1,500,000 for the Purchase of an Electric Fire Engine
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
The Fire Department is seeking Council's approval to accept funding from a Washington State Department of Ecology grant award in the amount of $1,500,000 for the purchase of a second electric fire engine. This award furthers the department's alignment with the City's environmental sustainability goals and supports the health and welfare of Redmond firefighters by eliminating diesel exhaust exposure at station and incident scenes.
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☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☒ Provide Direction ☐ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
Redmond Fire Department Strategic Plan; City of Redmond Environmental Sustainability Action Plan; Redmond 2050 Climate Resilience and Sustainability Element; City Fleet Electrification Strategy; 2025-2050 Redmond Fire Department Functional Plan
• Required:
Council approval is required for acceptance of grant awards and execution of grant agreements.
• Council Request:
N/A
• Other Key Facts:
The Washington State Department of Ecology awarded this grant to support acquisition of zero-emission emergency response apparatus. Electric fire engines reduce tailpipe emissions, lower long-term fuel and maintenance costs, and eliminate occupational diesel exhaust exposure for firefighters. The department is proactively planning infrastructure upgrades at affected stations to support electric vehicle deployment, consistent with the Fire Functional Plan.
OUTCOMES:
Accepting this grant award will result in the purchase of one electric fire engine for the Redmond Fire Department, advancing two core departmental priorities:
• Environmental Sustainability: The electric engine will eliminate tailpipe emissions from one front-line apparatus, reducing the department's contribution to greenhouse gas output and local air pollutants in alignment with the City's climate commitments and Redmond 2050.
• Firefighter Health and Welfare: Research links cumulative diesel exhaust exposure to elevated cancer risk among firefighters. Transitioning to electric apparatus eliminates idling emissions at stations and incident scenes, materially reducing occupational carcinogen exposure for Redmond personnel.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
Grant award effective upon Council acceptance; procurement to follow upon executed grant agreement.
• Outreach Methods and Results:
N/A
• Feedback Summary:
N/A
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
$2,423,050.24 based on the current vehicle quote.
Up to 75% of eligible costs funded by awarded Washington State Department of Ecology grant, not to exceed $1,500,000.
Approved in current biennial budget: ☐ Yes ☒ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
N/A
Budget Priority:
Healthy and Sustainable
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
If yes, explain:
25% match required
Funding source(s):
Washington State Department of Ecology grant funding for up to 75% of eligible costs, not to exceed $1,500,000, and City matching funds from the Apparatus Replacement Fund.
Budget/Funding Constraints:
The award acceptance deadline in the email is March 20, 2026. Ecology has also advised that no reimbursable costs may be incurred and no vehicle order may be placed until a fully executed grant agreement is in place. The current vendor quote was valid through March 9, 2026, which may require coordination on timing, updated pricing, or a refreshed quote before purchase authorization. The grant application states the City can meet grant requirements by October 31, 2027.
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
N/A |
Item has not been presented to Council |
N/A |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
3/17/2026 |
Business Meeting |
Approve |
Time Constraints:
The Department of Ecology requested that the City accept the grant award by March 20, 2026. In addition, the current vehicle quote was valid only through March 9, 2026, and the Sourcewell contract referenced in the quote was valid through February 10, 2026, which will require updated pricing or procurement coordination. Ecology also advised that the City may not incur reimbursable costs or place any vehicle order until the grant agreement is fully executed by both parties. Finally, the City represented in its grant application that it can meet all grant requirements by October 31, 2027.
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
If Council does not approve acceptance of the award, the City risks forfeiting up to $1.5 million in external grant funding for replacement of an older diesel fire engine. Delay or non-acceptance would burden the city’s General Fund for apparatus costs which may also reduce the City’s ability to advance fleet decarbonization goals, realize projected emissions reductions, and build on the operational investment already made in EV fire apparatus and charging infrastructure at Station 11.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachments A: Ecology Grant Application 2026
Attachment B: Ecology Grant 2 Narratives
Attachment C: Fleet List
Attachment D: Community Engagement
Attachment E: Budget