Purchase Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (<strong>SCBA</strong>)Page2Our current <strong>SCBA</strong>s are eight years old and the work required to retr<strong>of</strong>it our current <strong>SCBA</strong>s to 200 7edition levels would not be recommended as it would cost more than the price <strong>of</strong> a new unit .Project Work CompletedThe Fire Department has completed an exhaustive study evaluating the currently available <strong>SCBA</strong> sthat meet NFPA #1981 and #1982. Department staff met with vendors and ran field trials on all th e<strong>SCBA</strong>s that meet the latest standards and that are available in our area . The <strong>SCBA</strong>s tested were th eMSA Model M7, Draeger PSS 7000, Scott Model NXG7, Scott Model AP 75, and the Speria nWarrior.The Fire Department established an <strong>SCBA</strong> Committee and researched the following :1. The storage/racking compatibility with our current storage/racking syste m2. The reliability and service <strong>of</strong> the companies and their produc t3. The voice amplification system <strong>of</strong> each produc t4. The different firefighter rescue capabilities involving bypassing first stage regulators ,universal air connections, buddy breather connections, firefighter down location equipment ,and firefighter accountability systems5. Compatibility with neighboring fire department's <strong>SCBA</strong>s and equipmen t6. Battery requirements7. Compatibility with our current air bottle refill station, air tools, and mask fitting syste m8. Service life9. Testing requirement s10. NFPA requirements11. Radio compatibility12. Training provide d13. Specifications and weightTen members tested the <strong>SCBA</strong>s through a field test course, ranking the <strong>SCBA</strong>s in order <strong>of</strong>preference. Included in the field trial were factors such as mask fit, ease <strong>of</strong> use, comfort, and theability to perform firefighting tasks . In addition, 21 members went through a tabletop trial and rate dthem in order <strong>of</strong> preference. The table top trial required each member to try on the <strong>SCBA</strong>s in aclassroom environment and simulate some <strong>of</strong> the possible movements involved in working on a fir e(walking, crawling, looking up, and working with arms above head) .Staff and the <strong>SCBA</strong> committee are recommending a sole source <strong>purchase</strong> <strong>of</strong> the Scott NXG7. Thisis due to the extensive study performed on each model <strong>of</strong> <strong>apparatus</strong> and the consensus reached b ythe <strong>SCBA</strong> committee, which addressed the vital rescue and safety aspects <strong>of</strong> the <strong>SCBA</strong>s as the yrelate to our Fire Department's operations . In addition, despite the fact that costs were not reveale dto the raters, the Scott NXG7 turned out to be the lowest bid .
Purchase Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (<strong>SCBA</strong>) Page 3FISCAL IMPACTA total <strong>of</strong> $220,900 was approved, as part <strong>of</strong> the 2009-11 Financial Plan (Appendix B, Capita lImprovement Plan, Page 3-45 to 3-48), for the <strong>purchase</strong> <strong>of</strong> this equipment . AliStar Fire Equipment,the company distributing the Scott NXG7, the highest rated <strong>SCBA</strong> by the committee, came in as th elowest bidder .Below are the three bids for the <strong>purchase</strong> <strong>of</strong> 43 <strong>SCBA</strong>s from Bauer Compressors, Diamondback andA11Star.Date Vendor Price1/9/2009 Bauer Compressors $268,037 .601/9/2009 Diamondback Fire & Rescue $267,545 .1 5* 1/9/2009 AllStar Fire Equipment $244,139 .34* After these bids were acquired, it was decided that 40 <strong>SCBA</strong>s would be <strong>purchase</strong>d as thatnumber would be adequate for our needs and provide adequate reserves, thus bringing th eAllStar Fire Equipment price down to $220,871 .83 .ATTACHMENTS :1 . Bauer Compressors informal bid for 43 <strong>SCBA</strong>s - $268,037 .602 . Diamondback Fire and Rescue informal bid for 43 <strong>SCBA</strong>s - $267,545 .153 . AliStar Fire Equipment informal bid for 43 <strong>SCBA</strong>s - $244,139 .344 . AllStar Fire Equipment informal bid for 40 <strong>SCBA</strong>s - $220,871 .830T:/Council Agenda Reports/Fire CAR/CAR 2009-Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (<strong>SCBA</strong> )