Agenda Item Wording:
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Authorize staff to accept and appropriate funding for fire department training projects that will be reimbursed through the California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee (Cal-JAC) account in the amount of $94,770.
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Deadline for Action: 3/7/2022
Submitting Department: Fire Department
Contact Name and Phone Number: Nick Branch x4545; Crissy Balderama x4513; Tom Van Grouw x4265
Department Recommendation:
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the Visalia Fire Department to utilize funding from the California Joint Apprentice Committee account to purchase items for fire department training in the amount of $94,770.
Background Discussion:
In 2006, the Visalia Fire Department became a participating department of the California Joint Apprenticeship Committee (Cal-JAC) apprentice agreement. The California Joint Apprenticeship Committee is co-sponsored by the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the California Professional Firefighters. Cal-JAC provides funding to participating California fire departments by awarding funding based upon eligible submitted training hours each month for firefighters under apprentice agreements. Firefighters participating in the program for apprenticeship in their assigned positions are awarded $3.20 per hour into an account allocated for Fire Department training expenses. This amount changes annually and is based on state allocations to the program. The account accumulates over time and the funding can be utilized with approval of the Fire Department Cal-JAC committee. Per Cal-JAC rules and regulations, the Cal-JAC committee is comprised of members from both fire administration and labor. The Visalia Fire Department has used little of the awarded funding over the last several years and is now requesting to purchase the items included in this transmittal. If approved, all purchases will be made following the City of Visalia purchasing policy.
This specific purchase would be used to provide the following items to fire department training operations:
• Fire Vent Variable pitch roof prop that will replace an existing, wood-framed prop that is deteriorating and will soon be unsafe for training operations. This Fire Vent roof prop will provide firefighters with the ability to train on roof operations such as ventilation tactics, smoke removal, aerial operations, and will also provide operations for both low and steep angle rope rescue. It is constructed of a steel frame and will provide decades of good training opportunities. The Fire Vent roof prop manufacturer has sole proprietary manufacturing rights and patents to this product and is the only distributor for this type of training prop. Cost: $76,500
• Forcible entry training prop that will be an addition to a door prop purchased in 2011 with CalJAC funding. This additional door prop will allow for simultaneous training to take place in different locations on the training grounds. This prop will provide training on both forcible entry and less destructive techniques to enter a locked structure. It also provides props for locked gates and chained access props. East Coast Rescue Solutions also has proprietary rights to their training prop and provides safety and warranty items that are not incorporated into other forcible entry training props. Cost: $12,580.
• Rogue Cardio equipment for the training facility, to be utilized year-round by assigned crews and during recruit academies. This purchase will provide three Rogue Echo stationary bikes and three Rogue Concept 2 rowers that will provide low impact endurance and cardiovascular exercise for the firefighters. Cost: $5,690
Fiscal Impact:
Staff is requesting to appropriate $94,770 for the purchase of a training roof prop, a forcible entry door/cutting prop, and 6 pieces of exercise equipment for the training center. All expenses will be reimbursed by the California Firefighter Joint Apprentice Committee (Cal-JAC) account.
Prior Council Action: N/A
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Purchase items through the appropriated fire department training budget over the next several budget years, excluding the ventilation roof prop which is outside the allocated budget amount.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
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I move to authorize staff to appropriate funding from the general fund in the amount of $94,756.31 for the sole source purchase of one Fire Vent roof prop in the amount of $76,493.50, the sole source purchase of one forcible entry prop in the amount of $12,580.58 from East Coast Rescue Solutions, and six pieces of exercise equipment from the awarded bidder Rogue Fitness in the amount of $5,682.23. All costs will be reimbursed by California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: 1. Fire Vent Prop Brochure - Sole Source - Quote. 2. East Coast Rescue Solutions Forcible Entry Brochure - Sole Source - Quote. 3. Rogue Echo Bike and Concept 2 Rower Quote