Finance Committee - 4/4/2018 Page 11
In the past year or so, starting in December 2016 there have been four incidents when the vehicle has failed, it
has simply broken down. One of the more recent being in October of 2017 for a barricade incident here in the
City, perhaps you remember seeing Manchester’s Bearcat on the page of the paper. That was because ours
simply broke down. Also in July we were doing some work at the 4!" of July Fireworks, again large venue
protection type of a detail and it broke down there too. We actually had to have it towed in from the venue. So
an on-going issue and just strategically it is very clear to us at the Department that it is time to try to move
forward and purchase a new vehicle.
Mayor Donchess
Any questions?
Alderman O’Brien
Thank you Mr. Mayor. Looking at the old one, the 2003, was that one a diesel?
Captain Nordengren
Yes.
Alderman O’Brien
| Know you are purchasing a diesel now. And is this vehicle, will it be garaged?
Captain Nordengren
It is garaged currently.
Alderman O’Brien
It is garaged, ok, because looking at the 2003 | see the mileage on it and | think if garaging with the New
England weather | think hopefully it will get better longevity out of them. But think it is definitely something for
the safety of the officers for sure is needed.
Captain Nordengren
And it is an officer safety issue but it is also for safety of the citizens because that’s what it is primarily
designed for, is for any type of critical incident like active shooter incident, which is obviously it’s a large
concern today. If you look at any type of photograph or video of any of the recent incidents whether it’s rural
Colorado, Las Vegas, Dallas, the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida, you will see a Bearcat at some point in
those incidents and helping to resolve the situation. Again that’s protecting the citizens but it is keeping the
officers safe as well. The mileage on our vehicle is obviously very low but this is a vehicle that will drive to an
incident here within the City and then maybe be idling there for a number of hours, you know, 10, 12, 24 hours.
So that’s where the wear and tear really starts to come in on the vehicle.
Alderman Laws
| called Lenco today just to talk to him today and they are very excited about the technological advances in the
one that you are getting over the one that we have. My concern would be, as you pointed out, the mileage is
low , I’m sure the hours were very high. What happens when the new one breaks? Do we fix it in house or do
we sent it back to them?
