The Houston Fire Department recommends that City Council adopt an ordinance appropriating $3,937,358.60 from the FY2019 Equipment Acquisition Consolidated Fund for purchase of capital equipment to be used by the Houston Fire Department.
SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:
The Fire Chief recommends that City Council adopt an Ordinance authorizing the appropriation of $3,937,358.60 from the FY2019 Equipment Acquisition Consolidated Fund. This is for HFDs capital equipment items as approved in the FY2019 Equipment Acquisition Plan. The Appropriation ordinance is required to provide funding for the purchase of capital equipment by utilizing current City contract agreements or issue a purchase order for purchases under $50,000.00.
Operations Vests: Due to the recent escalation of active shooter incidents around the country, there is a pressing need to equip firefighters with ballistic protection while entering hostile scenes to render emergency medical assistance.
Helmets: When serving warrants, conducting arrests/raids, etc., there is growing need to protect the head of officers from assault, shootings, terrorism and violent protests.
Active Shooter Tactical Gear: Due to their proximity to Command, certain personnel will likely be the first on scene for active shooter events. This will require protection that can be quickly donned and provide immediate protection against high powered rifle munitions that are becoming more prevalent by those intent on conducting mass casualties.
Bunker Gear: There are approximately 3,600 sets of bunker gear assigned in the field. HFD replaces 900 sets of the bunker gear per year because of mandatory retirement due to age. Additional gear is retired prematurely due to excessive wear or damage from heat, smoke and other fire hazards.
Life Safety Equipment: HFD has approximately 3,600 employees in the emergency response area that require life safety equipment. This allows the replacement of equipment that has reached its life expectancy and/or allow for the replacement of outdated/damaged equipment. Equipment such as air packs, radios, protective hoods, etc. are vital to HFD’s operational need.
Emergency Response Equipment: Equipment needed is specifically to provide firefighters with the proper assistance needed to deliver emergency services daily. Items such as hydraulic stretchers and stair chairs are critical for fire paramedics and require a 10% replacement per year.
|
Funded Program
|
WBS Number
|
FY2019 Amount
|
|
Operations Vests
|
C-EQ0003
|
$ 1,000,000.00
|
|
Helmets
|
C-EQ0002
|
$ 23,400.00
|
|
Active Shooter Tactical Gear
|
C-EQ0002
|
$ 22,365.00
|
|
Bunker Gear
|
C-EQ0001
|
$ 1,600,000.00
|
|
Life Safety Equipment
|
C-EQ0002
|
$ 649,646.00
|
|
Emergency Response Equipment
|
C-EQ0003
|
$ 641,947.60
|
|
|
$ 3,937,358.60
|
Fiscal Note:
Funding is included in the FY19 adopted CIP. There is no increase to the operating budget.