Title
Resolution to Approve a Contract with Phoenix Safety Outfitters for Purchase of Fire Department Personal Protective Firefighting Turnout Gear (NTE $150,000.00/3yrs)
Memorandum
The attached resolution seeks approval of a fixed unit price agreement for the purchase of personal protective firefighter turnout gear. There has been an effort to bring the Fire Department into compliance with nationally recognized standards. To do so, there is a fundamental need to overhaul the City of Ann Arbor Fire Department turnout gear.
Pursuant to the Collective Bargaining Agreement between International Association of Firefighters Local 693 and the City of Ann Arbor, the City is required to furnish and maintain two (2) sets of turn out gear for each employee in accordance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1851. The NFPA standard limits structural firefighting turnout ensemble components to a maximum service life of ten (10) years from date of manufacture. The moisture barrier within the bunker gear begins to fail after each successive fire that the gear is exposed to. Likewise, the outer shell can absorb harmful carcinogens and is continually subjected to cuts, tears, and abrasions during normal use.
The NFPA standard indicates that after ten (10) years of service, all components including turnout coats and pants must be removed from service and can no longer be used for structural firefighting. Existing personnel are on a five (5) year rotation for personal protective firefighter turnout gear replacement. At least twenty (20) sets are due for scheduled replacement, and seven (7) new members have joined the department, each requiring two (2) complete sets. The gear the new hires have been provided for the interim (their probationary period) is rented. Therefore, we need to purchase additional turnout gear to ensure firefighter safety.
The City’s issued an invitation to bid (ITB#4277) seeking qualified vendors to supply new structural firefightin...
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