Stephen Krivjanik, Assistant Chief, Fire Rescue Department

Issue Statement: The Oakland Park Fire Rescue Department purchased firefighter Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)  for all personnel in 2003. The SCBA  equipment  provides a sealed breathable air supply for firefighters, provided on every emergency response unit.  All personnel are provided a personally sized and fitted facemask which ensures the highest level of protection. This equipment has exceeded its recommended service life and as such requires increasing maintenance.

Recommended Solution: The City Commission adopt a resolution approving the replacement of the Fire Rescue Department Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus inventory utilizing the Master Purchase Agreement between South Davis Metro Fire Agency and Municipal Emergency Services Inc.  In addition, staff recommends the City Commission adopt a Loan Reimbursement Resolution for the maximum principal amount of $357,314.  

The FY 2017 Fire Rescue Department budget provides $383,229.00 for the procurement and replacement of all self-contained breathing apparatus. The loan reimbursement resolution would enable the City to be reimbursed for expenditures made after the adoption of the resolution should bond or loan financing be utilized.  Upon issuance of the bonds/loan, we can reimburse these funds and capitalize the expenditures associated with acquiring the bonds/loan.  

The Fire Rescue Department  conducted a rigorous SCBA evaluation utilizing multiple SCBA models and vendors.  Fire Department staff and firefighters participated in the wearing of various SCBA equipment in extreme controlled live fire environments. These personnel recommended the SCOTT brand SCBA equipment represented by Municipal Emergency Services Inc. The SCOTT brand SCBA not only satisfy National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards 1500, 1981, and 1852  standards for firefighting breathing equipment, it exceeds these standards. The SCOTT SCBA  is the only product that provides a firefighter with extended breathing time. This is accomplished by increasing the ability of the breathing air supply bottle to hold more air. The SCOTT SCBA bottle contains 5500 PSI of air, while other similar breathing equipment only contain 4500PSI of air. It is determined that this additional time, 15 minutes to 30 minutes, coupled with other options from the SCOTT product, will provide life saving time for our firefighter if entrapped, unconscious or injured and requiring rescue.

The FY 2017 Fire Rescue Department budget provides $383,229.00 for the procurement and replacement of all self-contained breathing apparatus.  The proposed expenditure is as follows:

As was presented in the FY 2017 budget, the City intended to use external financing for this purchase.  The intention was to do a joint financing of these units and the new communications equipment required to meet new County standards.  The City has not obtained such financing as it is awaiting the results of a regional grant application to help fund the purchase of the communications equipment. 

We recommend that the commission adopt the attached "bond reimbursement resolution," for the maximum principal amount of $357,314. This resolution states that any expenditures made after the adoption of the resolution can be reimbursed by the bonds/loan whenever they are issued and is required by I.R.S.  Upon issuance of the bonds/loan, we can reimburse these funds and capitalize the expenditures associated with acquiring the bonds/loan.  

Staff will continue to research funding options and return for Commission authorization of the terms of the loan arrangements (bond/loan, etc.) should they be required.  If the grant application for communications equipment is successful, external financing for the SCBA units may not be needed should alternative financial resources be identified (savings, additional revenues, etc.).

Staff recommends City Commission:

A) Adopt the Loan Reimbursement Resolution

B) Adopt a resolution approving for the replacement of the Fire Rescue Department Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus inventory.