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(7) (n)

CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MTG

Meeting Date:	01/18/2023
SCBA Purchase
Submitted For:	David Zacherl	Submitted By:	David Zacherl, Fire Department
Department:	Fire Department

Information

ACTION REQUEST

Consider and take action on a request to purchase a complete inventory replacement of all self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) used in the fire department from Municipal Emergency Services through the HGACBuy Program.

BACKGROUND (Brief Summary)

The current inventory of Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) is two cycles out of the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA 1981) compliance standard [currently inventory is NFPA 2007 compliant]. There is no upgrade available that would bring our model into compliance and the manufacturer has indicated that an upgrade will not be made available due to the significant changes to the NFPA 1981 Standard on SCBA.

The current National Fire Protection Agency standard requires an airpack’s low pressure alarm to sound at one-third remaining air availability. Our airpack’s currently alarm at one-quarter air availability. Additionally, our airpack’s are no longer parts supported by the manufacturer and internal parts availability for necessary repairs is becoming an issue. This is compounded by the fact that the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) prohibits the use of aftermarket parts on SCBA.

Our SCBA bottles will soon reach their end of service life that requires replacement at 15 years of age. Furthermore, pressure gauges on the new bottles are now identified with a one-third pressure warning indicator as reqired by NFPA 1981 and not a one-quarter pressure warning indicator as is our current inventory. If we just replaced our bottles our SCBA pressure indicators and bottle pressure warning indicators would not match which is not permissable with the TCFP.

Finally, our airpack masks have been discontinued and are no longer supported by the manufacturer with parts. Availability for parts has not yet become an issue but will certainly begin as vendor inventories deplete.

RECOMMENDATION

The Fire Chief recommends approve of the purchase through the HGAC Buy program.

Fiscal Impact

Funds Available Y/N:	Yes
Amount Requested:	748,259.60
Source of Funds:	FY 22/23 Budget
Account #:	602-202-55150

Fiscal Impact:

Funds were approved in the FY 22/23 Annual Budget.

Attachments
Exhibit A
Resolution