04 - Laserfiche WebLink

BACKGROUND LPFD firefighters routinely operate in hazardous conditions including smoke, combustible products, oxygen deficient atmospheres, and hazardous materials, considered to be immediately dangerous to life and health as defined by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Pursuant to the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (CaIOSHA) regulation Section 5144, firefighters are required to use respiratory protective devices when exposed to these atmospheres. To meet this regulation, the LPFD currently has 90 SCBA units that were purchased between 1990 and 1998. While the entire SCBA inventory was upgraded in 2000/2001 to meet the applicable NFPA Standards and OSHA requirements, in 2005 the NFPA amended its standards and LPFD has yet not upgraded equipment to remain compliant with the current requirements. In addition to the compliance issue, 83% of the units have been in service for 11 or more years which exceeds their life expectancy of approximately 8 to 10 years. Due to the equipment's age, replacement parts are becoming difficult to obtain and maintenance is becoming an issue. Because of these factors, the units are in need of replacement. In anticipation of this replacement, in January 2006, the LPFD formed a staff task force to identify the future needs of the department's SCBA program, develop replacement equipment specifications, evaluate vendor proposals and to conduct field testing. As part of its work, the task force developed RFP evaluation criteria and identified SCBA manufactures capable of providing equipment. Based on current industry practices, multiple vendors are authorized to sell equipment from SCBA manufactures and as a result, the task force's review included not only equipment from SCBA manufactures but a specific vendor's ability to provide and service equipment. The following bids were received in response to the RFP: SUMMARY OF SCBA PROPOSALS Vendor SCBA Manufacturer Price Mallory Fire Mine Safety Appliances MSA $641,617.22 LN Curtis & Son Survivair $678,957.30 Emer enc E ui ment Mana ement Dra er Safe ,Inc. $679,566.03 Based on review of the proposals, staff is recommending awarding an agreement to Emergency Equipment Management. DISCUSSION As part of the proposal evaluation criteria, the LPFD looked at a number of factors including equipment pricing, air delivery, communications, buddy breathing and rescue procedures, mask fit, and overall air pack suitability. The task force also looked at compliance with industry standards to assure equipment meets current and anticipated future regulations. Currently, only MSA has received NFPA 2007 and NIOSH Chemical Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) agent approvals which all equipment must Page 2 of 4