June 1991 POLICE PRACTICES: ALTERNATE FUEL PROGRAM During the late 1970s, as the price of gasoline escalated and gas lines formed, the Sarasota County Sheriff's Department searched for an alternate fuel source to use in the department's fleet. Among other considerations, it was important to find a fuel that was clean burning. Because each car in the department's fleet logged over 86,000 miles per year, the cost of repairs and rebuilding was significant, and officials hoped a cleaner burning fuel would reduce these costs. After considering all the alternatives, department officials chose to convert its fleet to liquid propane gas use, because it met the following criteria: * It is readily available. * It produces yearly savings on fuel costs. * It burns cleaner, causing fewer cases of engine failure and need for replacement parts. * It is not affected by fluctuating oil prices or worldwide supply. THE CONVERSION When officials purchase a new car for the departments fleet, mechanics assigned to the in-house fleet garage remove the carburetor, the air cleaner, and the fuel pump and fuel line. (These parts are placed in storage until the department is ready to sell the car, at which time the original equipment is replaced.) Mechanics then put a new liquid propane gas carburetor and air cleaning device on the car, as well as a fuel lock off and converter. Last, they place a propane gas tank in the trunk of the car and make all the necessary connections. The initial cost to convert a car, using new equipment, is approximately $1,000, plus the cost of the mechanics labor. However, since some of the parts, such as the liquid propane gas tanks (which cost approximately $415) can be transferred to other cars, the cost of converting any replacement cars is less. REFUELING Department officials solicit bids each year from the distributors of propane gas, and the lowest bid is accepted. However, any distributor considered must also agree to be on 24-hour call and must agree to provide supply trucks to respond to department cars that run out of fuel while on patrol during major catastrophes, such as hurricanes or tornadoes. The first vendor to supply the department with propane gas gave a 20-minute lesson on how to refuel safely, with an emphasis on how to bleed the valves on the car tanks. Now, experienced officers teach this simple technique and safety procedures to new officers. Officers refuel their vehicles at large propane gas storage tanks that are located at three refueling sites around the county. Should officers accidently drive off with the storage tank hose still connected to their tank, there are automatic shut-off valves on both the storage tanks and the tanks of the cars to prevent the escape of gas. Refueling department cars that are used on road trips may present more of a problem because liquid propane gas is not available at all service stations. However, recently, officers drove a department vehicle on a 2,000-mile road trip, and they experienced no difficulty in finding fuel. Many service stations and campgrounds sell liquid propane gas. There is also a directory available from the National Liquid Propane Gas Association that lists, by State, many sources of liquid propane gas. RESULTS During the past 11 years, over 200 vehicles used by the department have operated on liquid propane gas, including unmarked units used by the civil, warrants, and administrative sections. Overall maintenance costs are considerably less than they would be if gasoline were used in the units. The department saves approximately $1,000 per year on the fuel costs of each vehicle, and the longevity of the engine has been increased. Some departments replace patrol cars at 80,000 miles or less, but by using liquid propane gas, which does not leave carbon deposits in the engine, most vehicles will not need to be replaced until they register approximately 160,000 miles. In a department such as the Sarasota County Sheriffs Department, which has a one person, one patrol car concept, converting to an alternate fuel has resulted in a great savings. CONCLUSION In this time of shrinking budgets and increasing costs, every department should look for cost-saving programs. For departments that have large fleets of department vehicles, using an alternate fuel, such as liquid propane gas, may be a viable way to save money. When this reduction in costs is combined with the increased engine longevity found in vehicles using liquid propane gas, the substantial savings realized may allow departments to pursue other important programs they have previously been unable to afford. For further information or assistance on using liquid propane gas as an alternate fuel, contact the Sarasota County Sheriffs Department Office of Fleet Management, P.O. Box 4115, Sarasota, Florida 34230, (813) 951-5597. The information for this column was submitted by Lt. Bill Stookey, Sarasota County, Florida, Sheriff's Department.