HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-11-149 - Self Contained Breathing Apparatus Purchase (SCBA)REPORT TO:Finance & Corporate Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
November 7, 2011
SUBMITTED BY: Tim Beckett, Fire Chief, 741-2926
PREPARED BY:
Gary Mann, Deputy Fire Chief, 741-2739
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: October 18, 2011
REPORT NO.:
CSD -11-149
SUBJECT:
SELF CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS PURCHASE
(SCBA)
RECOMMENDATION:
That the tender process for the purchase of Draeger PSS 7000 Self Contained Breathing
Apparatus (SCBA) from Draeger Safety Canada Limited be waived; and further
That the Fire Department and Purchasing Division engage in negotiations with Draeger
Safety Canada for the acquisition.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
A joint purchasing cooperative was formed with Cambridge, Waterloo and the Kitchener Fire
Departments in November 2010 to evaluate and purchase SCBA for the three Cities. Evaluation
criteria were developed to ensure transparency and accountability and to ensure compliance
with each City’s purchasing By-laws. Self Contained Breathing Apparatus manufacturers were
contacted to submit potential equipment for review. Five manufacturers engaged and provided
presentations on their respective breathing apparatus. Evaluations were conducted on the five
competing SCBA in a “controlled” environment and in a “live fire” environment. Based on the
evaluation results, Draeger SCBA was rated highest overall and was the first choice of the
Kitchener Fire Department Evaluating Committee. The SCBA Evaluating Committee is
recommending the purchase of Draeger PSS 7000 SCBA and supporting equipment.
BACKGROUND:
The Kitchener Fire Department purchased Interspiro SCBA in 1991 and have upgraded and
maintained the units for nearly 20 years. Over that time, the apparatus has aged and there has
been several technology advances made in the design. Capital funding for an SCBA acquisition
was put into place several years ago and a change in SCBA is required to:
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Ensure KFD meets Occupational Health and Safety Act Requirements.
Increase Fire Fighter mobility/reduce firefighter fatigue
Enhance communications while involved in firefighting/rescue operations
Reduce routine maintenance and repair cost
Enhance records management and repair tracking system
Explore technology to improve firefighter accountability and fire ground tracking
REPORT:
A joint purchasing cooperative was formed with Cambridge, Waterloo, and Kitchener Fire
Departments in November 2010 to evaluate and purchase an appropriate breathing apparatus
for each of our departments.Five SCBA manufactures (Interspiro, ISI, Draeger, MSA, and
Scott) were contacted and they provided presentations on their respective breathing apparatus
and related equipment to purchasing agents and evaluation committees from each community.
Manufacturers also provided additional technical support and SCBA for the evaluation process.
Criteria were developed and a scoring mechanism was designed for the transparent evaluation
of each SCBA and related equipment under both “controlled” and in a “live fire” environments.
All evaluations were scored and tabulated into three categories; controlled environment, live fire
environment, and overall combined rating. Interspiro withdrew from the evaluation process as a
result of their SCBA not meeting the required safety approvals prior to the live fire evaluation.
The final tabulated results concluded:
Draeger PSS 7000 SCBA was the top ranked SCBA for the Kitchener Fire Department
Draeger PSS 7000 SCBA was the over-all top ranked SCBA for Kitchener, Cambridge,
and Waterloo Fire Departments
Both Cambridge and Waterloo Fire Services chose to stay with their current provider due to the
recommendation of their respective Evaluation Committees. The Kitchener Fire Department’s
Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee support the SCBA Evaluating Committee
recommendation to purchase the overall highest scoring Draeger PSS 7000 SCBA apparatus
and supporting equipment.
The Draeger unit is only available through the manufacturer and a tender process will only result
in one tender being submitted.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The Kitchener Fire Department formed a joint purchasing cooperative with Cambridge and
Waterloo Fire Departments to evaluate SCBA and involved staff in the evaluation and selection
process. Participating SCBA manufacturers and staff described the process as being an
efficient use of time and provided transparency. The process reflects the People Plan objectives
of cooperative partnerships, collaboration, safety, and inclusion.
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FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The current capital budget identified as Fire Major Equipment/ Self Contained Breathing
Apparatus is approximately $1,000,000. It is estimated that negotiations will allow the purchase
of the necessary equipment within comparable costing to other top performing SCBA and will be
within the current budget figures.
All existing equipment will be disposed of through the purchasing process and/or a public
advertisement as approved by the Director of Supply/Services to ensure compliance with the
City’s purchasing practices.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
This is an internal purchasing process. No community engagement is required.
CONCLUSION:
That Council waive the tender process to allow the purchase of Draeger PSS 7000 SCBA from
Draeger Safety Canada Limited and that the Fire Department and Purchasing divisions engage
in negotiations with Draeger Safety Canada for the acquisition.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Jeff Willmer, Deputy CAO CSD
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