Authorizing the Committee on Public Property and Public Works to hold public hearings to investigate the current status of all Fire Department apparatuses, medic units, and other vehicles after Medic Unit 44b caught fire damaging the fire house at 4th and Arch Streets.

WHEREAS, On January 29, 2009, Engine 52 ignited while driving to the fire house at 1652 Foulkrod Street to refuel; and

WHEREAS, On November 15, 2012, Ladder 34 had a complete brake failure and the apparatus crashed into Ladder 31; and

WHEREAS, On April 11, 2013, Medic 45b was transporting a patient to the hospital when the rear axle broke, causing two of the wheels to fall off. Thankfully, the unit was not driving fast when this occurred; and

WHEREAS, On September 27, 2013, Medic Unit 44b caught fire inside its fire house at 4th and Arch Streets, severely damaging the building, forcing is closure indefinitely; and

WHEREAS, The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides specific codes and standards for inspection, maintenance, testing, and retirement of in-service automotive fire apparatus. The Philadelphia Fire Department does not follow these guidelines; and

WHERAS, The fleet of Fire Department vehicles and apparatus are aging. Twenty fire engines are over ten years old and seven engines are over fifteen years old. Seventeen of twenty-seven ladders are over ten years old, and seven are over twenty-seven years old; and

WHEREAS, The average maximum run total in the United States for ambulances is approximately 3,000 runs, while the average in Philadelphia exceeds this amount at 5,000 runs. Some medic units in Philadelphia have done over 8,000 runs;

now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the Committee on Public Property and Public Works is authorized to hold public hearings to investigate the current status of all Fire Department apparatuses, medic units, and other vehicles after Medic Unit 44b caught fire damaging the fire house at 4th and Arch Streets.

End