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Agenda Item 20.
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| City Council Meeting |
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| Subject: |
| Use of Fire Impact Fees - Acquisition of Special Department Equipment for Brea Fire Operations |
| RECOMMENDATION |
| Authorize $443,000 for the acquisition of the following special equipment to better meet the community's expansion and department's increased needs: Rescue ATV Tow Pickup Truck; "Plymovent" Exhaust Removal Systems; Tri-Band Motorola Radios; UAV Drone; AEDs with EKG capability; SCBA voice amplifiers and other equipment. Authorize an additional appropriation of $340,000 from the "Fire Impact Fee" (Fund 542) reserves. |
| BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION |
Over the last several years, the "Fire Impact Fee" account has grown significantly due to extensive City growth and modifications. In addition, the impact fees have not been utilized during that same time frame. The Fire Department has identified several areas where service delivery can be improved by appropriating the funds as they were intended. Those areas are as follows: 1. Pickup Truck for Rescue ATV towing - The new rescue ATV has been in service just under one year and is available to respond to our foothills to evaluate and transport patients with medical emergencies in remote areas with challenging access. At the time of implementation, the trailer used to tow the ATV was attached to the only capable truck which was a 2002 utility truck. This truck has exceeded its normal life expectancy, doesn't meet current safety requirements, and is not adequately equipped for the rescue ATV mission. The replacement pickup truck to be purchased will be built specially for this new mission and is anticipated to cost $70,000. We have come to realize the need for $80,000 and are requesting an additional $10,000 be allocated to this project. Total estimated cost - $80,000.
2. Exhaust Removal Systems - The Brea fire stations are behind in the industry standard of exhaust removal system technology. Cancer prevention efforts within the fire service industry indicate much risk associated with the carcinogen Benzene which is heavily found in diesel exhaust. Our fire engines produce tremendous amounts of this carcinogen in the enclosed apparatus bays of the station, which can sufficiently be removed by the "Plymovent" exhaust removal systems utilized by the majority of fire departments across the country today. Total estimated cost - $175,000.
3. UAV (Drone) - Technological advances in public service operational capability have included the use of drones for aerial reconnaissance during events which threaten the safety of the general public. Fire and police departments alike are rapidly seeing the benefits in drones for command, search and rescue, preplanning and surveillance purposes to reduce risk and provide efficiencies in their public safety duties. The Brea Fire Department intends to be an industry leader in implementing a fully functioning drone program, while also working to collaborate with the Brea Police Department in any drone needs it may also have. Total estimate cost - $25,000.
4. Tri-Band Radios - Radios currently used by the Brea Fire Department are not operationally competent due to restrictions which prohibit them from communicating on all bandwidths required to communicate with our surrounding agencies. We are obligated to respond with LA County Fire and Orange County Fire Authority regularly to mitigate everything from isolated medical-aid calls to large complex wildfire incidents. In doing so, we must be able to communicate on the 800MHz system, the UHF system and the VHF system. Unfortunately, our apparatus mounted radios only communicate on the 800MHz system and our portable radios only on the 800MHz and VHF system. Considering the number one reason for Firefighter injury and fatality is related to communication issues, it is imperative we address this issue. In order to solve the ongoing communication issues we are experiencing, we will purchase radios capable of communicating with all of our surrounding agencies for the apparatus and company officers in charge of each crew. Total estimated cost - $120,000.
5. EKG Capable AEDs - (Automated External Defibrillator) Our Fireline Paramedics are responsible for the advanced life support care of Fire Department members when they are in the remote areas of wildland fire operations. Wildfire incidents take place in the vast areas of terrain that are highly inaccessible at times to vehicle or even aircraft. Fireline Paramedics are assigned to oversee certain geographical areas where crews may be working. In the event that a medical emergency may take place with any of the Firefighters, Fireline Paramedics are the first and possibly only line of defense for life saving measures. Due to the remote areas they work in, Fireline Paramedics must carry all of their equipment in packs on their bodies. Smaller, reduced size and weight equipment is a must. In order to treat emergency cardiac events, Fireline Paramedics need to not only deliver electrical shocks to a patient's heart, but also view the underlying cardiac rhythms which may be causing the life threatening event. These small, lightweight devices are capable of delivering the necessary electricity required for cardioversion and also offer the capability of the Fireline Paramedic to view the heart's rhythm at the time of incident in the remote area. Total estimated cost - $10,000. |
| COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION |
| The Finance Committee reviewed staff's recommendations at their January 28, 2020 meeting and are recommended for City Council approval. |
| FISCAL IMPACT/SUMMARY |
| In order to meet the community's expansion and department's increased needs, it is recommended that Fire Impact Fees collected in order to meet the increased needs of the community be used to acquire special equipment for the Brea Fire Operations at a cost of $443,000. As of June 30, 2019, funds available in the Fire Impact Fee Fund (Fund 542) are $573,995. The FY 2019-20 Adopted Budget for this fund already includes $103,000 for the acquisition of the Rescue ATV Two Pickup Truck ($70,000), SCBA Voice Amplifiers ($25,000) and other equipment ($8,000). In order to fund the additional cost of the Pickup Truck, and the other recommended special equipment, an appropriation of $340,000 from the Fire Impact Fee Fund (Fund 542) reserve is required. The remaining funds available are $130,995. There is no impact the the City's General Fund. |
| RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: |
William Gallardo, City Manager
Prepared by: Chris Nigg, Fire Division Chief
Concurrence: Adam Loeser, Fire Chief |