Cheyenne Fire Rescue asked the Cheyenne City Council at a work session to support a sixth-penny (6p) ballot measure funding a package of station construction, fleet replacement and equipment purchases the department says are needed to maintain service as the city grows.

Chief Andrew Dykstorn told the council the department’s request would cover station replacement and relocation, apparatus that are four years out in manufacturing, and equipment with limited service lives. He said the department is seeking roughly $23 million for two new stations, about $6 million for three large apparatus, and about $1.8 million for equipment, producing a total the department described as roughly $30.1 million depending on final budgeting.

The funding request matters because it is intended to maintain emergency response capability and reduce long-term operating risk, department leaders said. Dykstorn told the council the proposals are part of a multi-year capital plan that aims to ensure prompt response times and protect firefighter health.

Department leaders described the package in three parts. For apparatus, Cheyenne Fire Rescue has two Type 1 engines and one quint aerial apparatus on bid; the department asked for funding to complete those builds and to replace aging staff vehicles and alternative-response units. "They are 4 years out," Dykstorn said of apparatus lead times, and he noted some existing frontline vehicles are approaching the department's 10-year target service life.

On equipment, Deputy Chief Wood summarized near-term needs and lifecycle timing: turnout gear replacement (NFPA 1851 recommends a 10-year service life) with an estimated cost of $450,000; attack hose replacement estimated at $50,000 (planned for 2029); a phased SCBA replacement beginning 2029–2030 with a $300,000 estimate (the department uses a 15-year service life for SCBAs); and portable and mobile radio replacement estimated at $1,005,020. "Our total equipment ask is $1,804,620," Deputy Chief Wood told the council.

For facilities, Battalion Chief Ryan Anderson reviewed concept designs and siting. The department proposed replacing and relocating Station 2 farther south and replacing Station 6 on the north side; both parcels have been purchased, Anderson said. He described Station 2 as a two-story building with training space and a pole, and Station 6 as a one-story design similar to newer stations. "We are requesting 2 stations with a total budget of $23,000,000," Anderson said. The designs call for four drive-through bays per new station to accommodate future apparatus and training needs.

Council members raised questions about totals, staffing and prior station costs. One council member noted that adding a staffed station could require about a dozen new firefighters; the department characterized the South Side project as a relocation/replacement rather than an additional staffed station. Council members also asked whether land costs were included; staff said the land for both Station 2 and Station 6 has already been purchased. The council asked staff to ensure cost estimates account for inflation and long manufacturing lead times.

Officials flagged implementation risks the department cannot control, including manufacturing delays and rising construction costs. The department emphasized planning steps already taken: capital improvement planning, apparatus scoring based on downtime and maintenance, and advance procurement to mitigate long lead times.

No vote was taken at the work session. Department leaders said they will continue to brief the council, respond to questions, and provide materials posted with other 6p work-session presentations.

For background, Cheyenne Fire Rescue stated it has consolidated operations since the early 1900s, provides fire suppression, EMS, technical rescue, hazmat response, wildland response, prevention and investigation, and that the department uses fifth-penny and other local allocations for past capital and equipment purchases.