HomeMy WebLinkAboutFS 2007-03-19 Item 2A - Purchase - Emergency Preparedness of Fire Stations
City of Tukwila
Steven M. Mullet, Mayor
Fire Department
Nicholas]. Olivas, Fire Chief
To:
From:
Subject:
Date:
Finance and Safety Committee
Chief Olivas~
Capital Purchase Request
March 14, 2007
Last year, during the budget process, we requested and received approval to purchase a
computer program to assist us with our overtime staffmg. Earlier this year, we learned
that the program would not meet our needs; the budget amount for the program is
$39,000.
At a recent seminar on air pack maintenance, our provider, MSA (Mine Safety
Appliance) demonstrated their new generation PASS devices (personal Alert Safety
System). Unlike our current PASS devices, this new generation is fully digital, includes a
heat sensor, a build in HUD (heads up display), a motion sensor that will significantly
reduce false alarming, the capability of air management/passport management by an
incident commander and chest mounted trans-fill capability.
Our existing PASS devices have a "ball and cage" design. There is actually a ball bearing
that rolls around in a circular can. We have to replace these units every 1 ~ -2 years. As
they age, they have a tendency to false alarm more frequently and are harder to reset.
This is particularly problematic on the drill ground, while waiting for an assignment at an
incident or in rehab at an incident. The new digital model is more sensitive to human
movement thereby reducing false alarms; because they are digital, maintenance will be
reduced.
The built in heat sensor offers an additional layer of protection to the firefighter. When
the alarm sounds, they know they are in a dangerous environment and need to retreat.
The HUD allows them to accurately monitor their air supply and exit before they run out
of air.
The chest mounted trans-fill capability is an improvement we were looking to upgrade to
this year. Presently, the trans-fill connection is on the back of the air pack and very
difficult to use under the best of conditions. The trans-fill feature would be used in an
emergency situation when a firefighter runs out of air. This feature alone, in my opinion
makes the new device worth the purchase price.
Finally, there is an optional feature that allows better accountability by the incident
commander. Utilizing wireless technology, we can add a chip and a monitor that show
the incident commander who is on air (by name) and how much air they have in their
cylinder. lfthe incident commander sees that an individual or a team that is running low
Headquarters Station: 444 Andover Park East · Tukwila, Washington 98188 · Phone: 206-575-4404 · Fax: 206-575-4439
on air, he/she can notify the individual or team to withdraw from the building before they
run out of air and get into a rescue situation.
The cost ofthe upgrade to the new PASS device and trans-fill connection is $658.00 per
unit; the cost of this upgrade will be: $25,773. To add the tracking capability, we need to
add $15,014 ($300 per PASS device and $3000 for the receiver including tax); the total
cost of all components is: $40,787.
I request that you allow us to utilize the $39,000 budgeted for the staffmg program to
upgrade our PASS devices.
Thank you in advance for your attention to this request.