HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2f: Urban search and rescue equipment purchase for the Fire Department.STAFF REPORT
Fire Department
DATE: February 5, 2013
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tony L. Trabbie, Fire Chief
By: Kurt Norwood, Deputy Fire Chief / Operations
Yvonne Yeung, Senior Management Analyst
SUBJECT: APPROVE A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION NOT TO EXCEED
$29,100 FOR THE UPFRONT COST OF PURCHASING URBAN
SEARCH AND RESCUE EQUIPMENT THAT WILL BE REIMBURSED
THROUGH THE 2010 STATE HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT
PROGRAM
Recommended Action: Approve
SUMMARY
It is recommended that the City Council approve a supplemental appropriation in an
amount not to exceed $29,100 and authorize the purchase of urban search and rescue
equipment. The funds utilized for this purchase will be reimbursed through the 2010
State Homeland Security Grant Program.
BACKGROUND
Since the terrorist attacks of 9 -11, Los Angeles County fire agencies have been
proactive in procuring the most up -to -date urban search and rescue equipment for
emergency preparedness. The goal is that in the event of a natural or human - caused
disaster, first responders will be in the best position to facilitate search and rescue
efforts with the latest equipment and technologies.
DISCUSSION
The Arcadia Fire Department maintains a State of California recognized Heavy Urban
Search and Rescue Vehicle and associated equipment. Fire Department personnel
respond to mountain rescues, collapsed buildings, trench rescues, and confined space
rescues both at the local and state levels. Therefore, it is imperative that the equipment
stored and utilized for urban search and rescue efforts is upgraded periodically and that
antiquated equipment is replaced.
Urban Search and Rescue Equipment
February 5, 2013
Page 2 of 2
In late December 2012, the Fire Department learned that certain monies from the 2010
State Homeland Security Grant Program were available for redistribution to agencies
that had urban search and rescue equipment needs. Accordingly, the Fire Department
applied for grant funding for the replacement of multi -gas detectors, a hydraulic power
unit and spreaders (also known as "Jaws of Life "), cribbing, and power saws.
In mid - January 2013, the Fire Department was awarded up to $29,100 in grant funding
through the 2010 State Homeland Security Grant Program for the purchase and
replacement of the aforementioned urban search and rescue equipment. A stipulation
of the grant award is that the project must be completed by March 29, 2013. Since this
unanticipated grant opportunity became available after the City Council adoption of the
Fiscal Year 2012 -13 budget, funds are unavailable for the upfront cost of the urban
search and rescue equipment in the Fire Department's budget as adopted.
FISCAL IMPACT
The request for appropriation for the upfront cost of this purchase is not to exceed
$29,100. Once the acquisition is completed, the City will be reimbursed through the
2010 State Homeland Security Grant Program for the cost of the equipment, not to
exceed $29,100. No local match is required for this grant.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council authorize a supplemental appropriation in an
amount not to exceed $29,100 for the upfront cost of purchasing and replacing urban
search and rescue equipment for the Fire Department. The City will be reimbursed up
to $29,100 through the 2010 State Homeland Security Grant Program.
Approved':
7
Dominic Lazzare e
City Manager