Laserfiche WebLink
Council Information Memorandum 11-03 <br /> Page 2 <br /> The SCBA has a tank that holds 4500 cubic inches of compressed air the wearer breathes. The <br /> SCBA has features for the wearer to monitor the amount of air in the tank while in use. The units <br /> have a vibrating/audible alarm that warns the wearer when their air tank is low and each unit also <br /> has a built-in alert system that activates whenever the wearer becomes motionless. This alerting <br /> system helps locate an incapacitated firefighter in the event he/she runs out of air or becomes <br /> trapped from a collapse. <br /> Normally the air in the SCBA tank lasts a firefighter working at a fire between 9 -14 minutes <br /> depending on the firefighter's exertion. <br /> The problem with the present SCBA units is the small o-ring between the air tank and the SCBA <br /> unit has been failing when the firefighters check their SCBA at the beginning of shift. When the <br /> tank is turned on, the compressed air escapes in seconds rendering the SCBA unit useless. There <br /> have been over 100 failures. <br /> The SCBA units are under warranty but the manufacturer, Scott, has not been able to correct the <br /> o-ring failures. Making matters worse, the o-ring failures are beginning to occur at the <br /> emergency scenes as the firefighters begin making entry into structures. This is unacceptable and <br /> dangerous. Staff has lost confidence in the units and told Scott a viable solution is necessary. <br /> The warranty obligates Scott to replacing or repairing the SCBA units at Scott's option. Under <br /> this obligation, Scott proposed two options. Allow them to continue a trial and error approach <br /> under the unit's warranty to find a solution to the o-ring failures or upgrade the current unit. The <br /> upgrades would incorporate some current unit components and include many brand new <br /> components. This upgraded unit would essentially become a different SCBA model (Air-Pak 75) <br /> and the upgrade would also extend the warranty an additional 7 years to the year 2026. The cost <br /> of the upgrade is $55,357.00. <br /> A third option considered was to abandon the Scott units all together and purchase 54 SCBAs <br /> from a different manufacturer. However, replacing all the Departments SCBA units would cost <br /> approximately $280,000.00. We could attempt to collect the costs of the new SCBA units from <br /> Scott through legal action. But the immediate costs are great and the success of legal action is <br /> not assured. <br /> Fire has the budget to complete the upgrades and recommend the conversion solution. <br /> POTENTIAL OBJECTION: None <br /> STAFF REFERENCE: Matthew Sekosky, Fire Chief(424-2811) <br /> Jeff Abbott, Deputy Fire Chief(424-2811) <br /> BUDGET/TIME IMPLICATIONS: Funding for the Scott Air-Pak conversion would be from <br /> the Fire Department fire program and cadet fund. Staff is in support of this option and believe it <br /> will save the Department over the life of the units $112,875.00 <br />