REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  September  18, 2018
CATEGORY:  Consent - Other Departments-12.

SUBJECT:

Approve a budget amendment and award the purchase of Self Contained Breathing Apparatus equipment.

Supervisorial District No. :  All

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Julia Hayen, Staff Services Analyst, 530-225-2516

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Mike Hebrard, Fire Warden

RECOMMENDATION

Take the following actions regarding the purchase of Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) equipment: (1) Approve a budget amendment increasing appropriations by $170,263 offset with use of fund balance; and (2) approve the award and authorize the purchase of new SCBA equipment to All Star Fire Equipment, Inc., under the California Department of General Services (DGS) contract in the amount of $567,484.12.

SUMMARY

Shasta County Fire Department is planning to spend approximately $1,100,000 in new SCBA equipment over the course of Fiscal Years 2018 and 2019. Recent changes to fire industry guidelines published by the National Fire Protection Association have necessitated a complete replacement of SCBA equipment. Shasta County Fire Department (SCFD) has anticipated this change and reduced new purchasing and maintenance over the last few years. The funds for these purchases will come primarily from fund balance and deferred vehicle purchasing, and cost savings from deferred purchasing and maintenance.

DISCUSSION

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a global non-profit organization that creates and updates safety standards and codes for usage and adoption by government agencies. NFPA codes for use and maintenance of fire safety equipment are considered the fire industry standard, and they are referenced by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, as well as federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration safety regulations.

The newest 2018 edition of NFPA 1981 Standard on Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus for Emergency Services meets or exceeds OSHA requirements, and is considered the industry standard for SCBA. By purchasing new equipment that meets this standard, the equipment is expected to have a functional life of 20 years while still meeting these standards.

SCFD would like to use the All Star Fire Equipment, Inc. contract through DGS for the purchase of Scott brand SCBA to allow for interoperability with other fire agencies in Shasta County that will also be converting to the Scott brand SCBA. This interoperability will provide greater safety by allowing exchange of air tanks between personnel from different agencies. Using one brand and model will also allow for consistency of training and maintenance between SCFD, CAL FIRE and other agency personnel using the Scott brand SCBA.

SCFD requests the Board award the purchase of 102 SCBA and 83 additional air cylinders to All Star Fire Equipment, Inc. for Fiscal Year 2018/2019. All Star Fire Equipment successfully competed in a statewide DGS competitive procurement, and was awarded the statewide contract for SCBA meeting the needed specifications. This DGS contract is available for use by local government agencies.

SCFD has known for several years that updates were pending for NFPA 1981 standards, which would necessitate major overhaul or replacement of the current SCBA equipment. To that end, SCFD has deferred replacement of any equipment and conducted only required maintenance to create carryover funds for the anticipated replacement of SCBA equipment.

SCFD requests a budget amendment to increase appropriations in the amount of $170,263, offset with use of fund balance to re-budget Fiscal Year 2017/2018 appropriations to Fiscal Year 2018/2019. Appropriations to purchase SCBA equipment were approved as part of the Fiscal Year 2018/2019 budget. However, delivery of SCBA equipment ordered in Fiscal Year 2017/2018 took longer than anticipated, and supplemental appropriations are needed to complete the purchasing from the prior fiscal year.

ALTERNATIVES

The Board may choose not to award the purchase to All Star Fire Equipment, Inc. and direct County Purchasing to conduct competitive procurement. The Board may choose not to approve the budget amendment.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

The recommendation has been reviewed by the County Administrative Office and County Purchasing Unit. This recommendation has also been reviewed by the CAL FIRE Shasta-Trinity Unit SCBA Program Coordinator.

FINANCING

The total cost for the new purchase is $567,484.12 in Fiscal Year 2018/2019. The appropriations for the SCBA purchase are included in the SCFD Approved Budget. The budget amendment in the amount of $170,263, offset by use of fund balance, will re-budget appropriations to complete funding for SCBA equipment ordered in Fiscal Year 2017/2018. There is no additional General Fund Impact associated with this request.