Court discusses proposed $2 million mobile command vehicle

During its Oct. 18 meeting, the Ellis County Commissioners Court discussed purchasing a mobile command vehicle for a little over $2 million.

The 45-foot vehicle would serve as a mobile command center for the sheriff, the fire marshal and the emergency management department.

Purchasing agent E.J. Harbin told the court they released an RFP on Aug. 22 and received one bid from Siddons-Martin Emergency Group, which was reviewed by both the purchasing and emergency management departments.

Emergency management coordinator Samantha Pickett explained how they toured mobile command units in Dallas and Denton counties before going out for bid.

Brandon Cotten, sales consultant at Siddons-Martin Emergency Group, said they will get “a lot more life out of that vehicle when spending $2 million.” Each vehicle is completely custom made, he explained.

Their warehouse is located 1.3 miles from the courthouse at 1610 E. Main St. and will provide any services needed on the vehicle through a warranty.

Frontline Communications, located in Florida, will manufacture the vehicle for Siddons-Martin. Regional vice president Andy Callaway told the court making mobile command units is “what they do,” and they have made similar vehicles for San Antonio and Dallas.

“It’s an extension of your emergency operations center,” Callaway said. “If there’s a manmade or natural disaster, you can actually set up operations onsite and run for days, making your response time much quicker.”

The vehicle runs on a backbone of cellular network for all communications with multiple agencies, allowing quick communication and allows operators to dispatch from the vehicle.

Fire Marshal Tim Birdwell told the court that they can bring the vehicle to smaller cities who may not have another place to meet during emergency situations. It offers “vital equipment during manmade disasters enable quick response and uninterrupted communications,” he said.

“If there’s a concern that this isn’t going to get used very often…if I had it right now, we would’ve used it four times in the last 30 days,” Sheriff Brad Norman said.

Harbin explained to the court that payment would be made in stages, beginning with 10% once the purchase order is accepted by the company. Upon completion of approved drawings, 20% will be delivered. Once material acquisition is underway for the construction of the vehicle, 30% will be delivered. The remaining balance will be paid upon delivery of the finished vehicle.

County Judge Todd Little explained to the court that the vehicle would be “top notch” and “high tech.” The vehicle has a 24-month delivery time, Little said, and the funds would come from ARPA funds set aside in the emergency management budget.

The commissioners felt they needed more information before they could approve the large purchase. They requestion additional specs and details be sent to them.

“You’re asking me to approve a $2 million purchase for a machine I haven’t even seen,” Commissioner Lane Grayson said. “We are not showing enough information soon enough and in detail enough, so that these guys, including myself, can share with their constituents what in the world we’re about to do with $2 million.”

“When we spend $2 million on kind of an unusual spend for this county, I need more information than I have,” Commissioner Paul Perry said.

Cotten reminded the court that a decision must be made by Nov. 2 or else the rate will increase by 6.5%.

The court took no action on this item on Oct. 18, but it will be brought back for the court’s approval by Nov. 2.

Originally published October 28, 2022 - https://www.waxahachiesun.com/news/local/court-discusses-proposed-2-million-mobile-command-vehicle/article_8a9f5b74-5995-11ed-b5aa-532242780a8e.html