Albany County Fire District Seeks Four Water Tenders, Modernizes Fleet

Albany County Fire District number one formally solicited sealed proposals for four firefighting water tenders, accepting submissions by email or mail until 5:00 PM Mountain Standard Time on December 23, 2025. The district called for two specific used units and two new units, providing detailed specifications and performance requirements on its website at albanycountyfd1.com.

The district listed Tender A as an approximately 2,000 gallon tactical Type 1 vehicle with four wheel drive, and Tender B as a 3,000 plus gallon support Type 2 slash Type 1 vehicle with four wheel drive. For the new apparatus the notice specified 3,000 plus gallon capacity tenders. All deliveries were required by April 30, 2026 and vendors must ensure current pump tests and safety inspections at time of delivery. The RFP packet included general specifications for both used and new tenders, and provided contact information and links to the full documents on the district website.

This procurement is locally significant. Albany County covers large rural areas where hydrant networks are limited, making water tenders a core component of fire suppression operations and mutual aid response. Increasing the fleet capacity with 3,000 plus gallon support tenders helps sustain water shuttle operations at extended incidents, while a tactical 2,000 gallon Type 1 unit provides more agile attack capability on rough terrain. For residents, these additions can translate into improved on scene water availability, potentially affecting containment times and property risk in outlying neighborhoods.

With the December 23 deadline passed, the district will move into evaluation and selection of vendors before finalizing purchase and delivery schedules. The purchase timeline places new apparatus arriving by late April 2026, a period that will require staffing, maintenance planning, and training to integrate the tenders into service. Residents and elected officials seeking more information or copies of the specifications can find full RFP documents and contact details on the district website at albanycountyfd1.com.