Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Apply for and Accept an Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) from the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to Provide Self-contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for Firefighters
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Operational Excellence & Safe and Secure Community
MEETING DATE: February 7, 2023
DEPARTMENT: Fire Department
CONTACT: Paul Dow, Interim Fire Chief
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Approval of the Resolution and appropriate the 10% matching funds
ITEM SUMMARY:
• The funds from the AFG will acquire SCBA for firefighters. This equipment is required to provide fire personnel with airway protection from toxic gas and harmful particulates resulting from fires and other hazardous atmospheres.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• The department utilizes SCBAs located on 25 different types of apparatus, including Engines, Ladders, Med units, Battalion Chief vehicles, and other support apparatus. This essential safety equipment allows firefighters to enter immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) environments to conduct rescue, firefighting, and hazardous materials mitigation operations. Federal and State Occupational Safety and Health Agencies (OSHA) strictly mandate SCBA use, and the Fire Department must comply with these regulations.
• In addition to the OSHA requirements, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sets technical standards for SCBAs. NFPA Standards ensure that current respiratory protection and safety technology is incorporated into an essential component of firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE). The two standards that apply to SCBAs are NFPA 1981: Standards on Open Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus for Emergency Services and NFPA 1982: Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Open Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus. These standards are revised every few years.
• For the last few decades, the department has equipped firefighters with the Air-Pak 75 SCBA, manufactured by 3M Scott Fire & Safety. However, this model of SCBA is no longer compliant with the most current edition of associated NFPA 1981/1982 standards and was retired by the manufacturer in April 2019. Therefore, we are unable to purchase new Air-Pak 75 SCBAs. Last year, MFD was forced to buy 38 used SCBAs from the Garland and Cedar Hill Fire Departments. This is equivalent to a police department purchasing and outfitting their officers with used ballistic vests from another law enforcement agency. Also, since the manufacturer no longer sells the Air-Pak 75 SCBA for fire department use, it has become increasingly challenging to obtain parts to service these older model SCBAs.
• To maintain firefighter safety and standardization, the McKinney Fire Department (like other fire departments) uses only one type of SCBA on all apparatus. We cannot phase in purchasing new SCBAs due to the unique differences between the current version and the newer ones. The SCBA cylinders and other connections are not compatible with one another. Equipping apparatus with different safety equipment can lead to critical errors in an emergency. Therefore, it is preferred to operate with one make/model SCBA for the entire department, and essential we replace all of the SCBAs at one time.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• AFG is a 90% Federal / 10% local cost share for jurisdictions with a population of 20,000 to 1,000,000.
• The amount of the grant request is for $723,456.00 for:
o 80 SCBAs ($6,857 each) - $548,608 total
o 80 SCBA cylinders ($1,193 each) - $95,488 total
o 250 SCBA Facepieces ($317 each) - $79,360 total
• The City is responsible for 10% match, or approximately $72,345.00.
• Local 10% cost share is requested from the General Fund
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• N/A