HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 1k - Purchase of Urban Search and Rescue Equipmenta
\pity of�i
STAFF REPORT
Fire Department
DATE: May 20, 2014
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Kurt Norwood, Fire Chief
By: Yvonne Yeung, Senior Management Analyst
SUBJECT: APPROVE AN UNANTICIPATED EXPENDITURE NOT TO EXCEED
$22,000 FOR THE UPFRONT COST OF PURCHASING URBAN
SEARCH AND RESCUE EQUIPMENT, WITH REIMBURSEMENT
THROUGH STATE HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAMS
Recommended Action: Approve
SUMMARY
It is recommended that the City Council approve an unexpected expenditure in an
amount not to exceed $22,000 and authorize the purchase of urban search and rescue
equipment. The funds utilized for this purchase will be reimbursed through the 2011
and 2012 State Homeland Security Grant Programs. No local match is required for
these grants.
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
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 be replaced.
Purchase of Urban Search and Rescue Equipment
May 20, 2014
Page 2 of 2
The Fire Department recently learned that the fund allocation of the 2011 and 2012
State Homeland Security Grant Programs has been modified and that agencies could
utilize those monies to purchase needed urban search and rescue equipment.
Accordingly, the Fire Department requested $22,000 in grant funding for the
procurement and replacement of expired life safety rope and associated hardware as
well as personal protective equipment specific to urban search and rescue.
In late April 2014, the Fire Department learned that the modification was approved. A
stipulation of the grant award is that the project must be completed by June 15, 2014.
Since this unanticipated grant opportunity became available after the City Council
adoption of the Fiscal Year 2013 -14 budget, the upfront cost of the urban search and
rescue equipment was unplanned in the Fire Department's budget as adopted. To
minimize the impact on the adopted budget, unused and remaining funds from various
existing equipment replacement accounts will be transferred to an established
equipment replacement fund that was approved for Fiscal Year 2013 -14 specifically for
the purchase of urban search and rescue equipment. No additional fund appropriation
is requested at this time.
FISCAL IMPACT
The upfront cost of this purchase is not to exceed $22,000. Once the acquisition is
completed, the City will be reimbursed through the 2011 and 2012 State Homeland
Security Grant Programs for the cost of the equipment, not to exceed $22,000. No local
match is required for these grants. No additional fund appropriation is requested at this
time; remaining funds from various equipment replacement accounts in the FY 2013 -14
Budget will be transferred to cover the upfront cost of this purchase.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve an unanticipated expenditure not to
exceed $22,000 for the upfront cost of purchasing urban search and rescue equipment,
with reimbursement through State Homeland Security Grant Programs.
Approved:
Dominic Lazzare
City Manager