Memorandum
City of Lawrence
Fire Medical
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TO: |
City Commission |
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FROM: |
Mark Bradford, Fire Chief |
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CC: |
Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager Casey Toomay, Assistant City Manager |
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DATE: |
May 15, 2015 |
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RE: |
Purchase of Self Contained Breathing Apparatus |
Background – New NFPA Standard
In January 2013, the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) released the 2013 edition of NFPA standard 1981 (Standard on Open Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). The 2013 edition replaced the previous 2007 edition. Currently none of the department’s SCBA meets the standard. The new 2013 standard is a substantial change from previous requirements which addresses causation of firefighter deaths over the past few years. The requested SCBA will bring the department into 100% 2013 NFPA compliance.
In addition, SCBA devices are now equipped with sophisticated and integrated Personal Alert Safety Systems (PASS). SCBA-Integrated PASS devices allow the automatic activation of the PASS device when the SCBA is turned on. This minimizes the risk of an inactive PASS and allows for the constant status monitoring of emergency personnel at an incident. PASS devices sense the lack of motion and emit an audible alert if a firefighter is disabled. Along with the audible alert, the PASS device sends notification to command. Firefighters may also manually activate the PASS device, allowing lost or trapped firefighters to summon help. New technology will also allow command to monitor individual firefighter air supply. PASS devices are one component of an accountability system that also includes the device plus department operational procedures for accountability.
With current technology and safety practices, we plan to eliminate our current PASS system and replace both the SCBA and PASS system with one integrated system. All equipment will meet national voluntary and Federal Department of Health Service (DHS) standards, and be Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) compliant to current edition of the NFPA standard.
Goal 4 of our departments Strategic Plan states – Acquire and utilize the most current and integrated technology systems available to use in the management of the department. Objective 4D states – Evaluate and implement technologies and make revisions. In April of 2014, the Fire Medical department requested a critical operations project necessary to ensure the delivery of our core capabilities (fire suppression), to ensure the health and safety of firefighting personnel, and to provide a continuum of support for emergency responders during fire, medical and all hazard events. The replacement of outdated Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and Personal Accountability and Safety Systems (PASS) will enhance the effectiveness of service delivery to our citizens by allowing the firefighter safe breathing air and accountability during emergency operations.
SCBA/PASS units are fundamental firefighting tools used by firefighters to provide safe breathing air in hazardous atmospheres. Firefighters are required to use these devices as a practical part of their work. Respiratory protection in dangerous atmospheres is a key safety focus in the fire service. SCBA’s protect firefighters from three categories of atmospheric hazards: toxic, oxygen deficient and super-heated atmospheres. Firefighters use the SCBA in incidents including fires, automatic fire alarms, gas leaks, carbon monoxide incidents, hazardous materials incidents, and other hazardous atmosphere calls. The SCBA provides purified air from the tank for a rescuer to breathe, which allows entry into toxic or oxygen depleted atmospheres.
Current SCBA Program
Our current SCBA’s were purchased beginning in 1999. We have maintained and updated the SCBA’s through our in-house manufacturer certified technicians.
The replacement of outdated SCBA/PASS equipment utilized on a daily basis will significantly reduce the risk to personnel health and safety by protecting firefighters from the atmospheric hazards during fire operations and allowing command personnel to maintain accountability of each person involved in fireground operations. Replacement will also allow a ready reserve of units when repairs or maintenance is necessary. Department SOP’s do not allow any personnel on scene to operate without this operationally ready equipment. All personnel involved in any activity where there is a potential hazardous atmosphere are required to have and to use SCBA/PASS to minimize personnel exposure risk.
Our current separate PASS system, also implemented in 1999, receives maintenance from the vendor, but no system improvements have been made since 2007. The current system has not been supported since 2007 and therefore needs to be replaced to meet the 2013 standards.
Program Funding and Open Bid for Purchase
Initially the 2008 multi-year sales tax program projected $500,000 annually for fire equipment replacement. The SCBA replacement plan anticipated that total equipment replacement costs could be satisfied by the sales tax proceeds.
In December of 2014, the city of Springfield, Missouri fire department replaced their entire SCBA/PASS inventory. The purchase was put out for competitive bids in December, 2014. A total of four vendors responded to bid request. The bid was awarded to Feld Fire Equipment. A part of the bid specifications was the right for other local public agencies to “piggy back” or purchase equipment or services being proposed for 180 days. The SCBA/PASS equipment purchased by Springfield is identical to what we had identified for purchase. Purchasing from the Springfield, Missouri bid allows us to take advantage of 2014 pricing and avoid the 2015 price increase. The deadline to utilize the Springfield, Missouri bid is June 17, 2015.
Surplus SCBA
An evaluation has been made of our current SCBA and it is determined that there is no trade-in value. In addition, online research has indicated there is little value in the sale of like equipment. We have been requested to donate approximately 55 SCBA to area Douglas County Fire Townships, Eudora City and City of Baldwin City. Staff recommends the City make the requested donation at no cost and indicates the City of Lawrence is not guaranteeing operation or any warranty.
Funding
The funds for this purchase were budgeted for FY 2015 and were allocated through the 2008 Sales Tax for fire equipment.
Staff Recommendation
The City Finance Department has reviewed all the bid documents and associated bids and has determined that the Springfield, MO bid was open to the public and met all City of Lawrence bidding procedures.
Action
Fire Medical Department staff requests approval of the following:
1. Utilize the competitive open bid from The City of Springfield, MO; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to award Feld Fire Equipment a total of $565,996.81 for the purchase of 85 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus and related equipment.