HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.l. Replacement of Fire Department Vehicle Extrication Equipment
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
City Council Regular Meeting: November 5, 2018
AGENDA ITEM: Replacement of Fire Department Vehicle
Extrication Equipment
AGENDA SECTION:
Consent
PREPARED BY: Rick Schroeder, Fire Chief AGENDA NO. 6.l.
ATTACHMENTS: Three Bid Quotes APPROVED BY: LJM
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Discussion/CIP Item to Purchase Three Sets of Vehicle
Extrication Equipment
BACKGROUND
The Council is asked to consider the replacement of the current Genesis hydraulic vehicle extrication
equipment with Hurst battery operated extrication equipment. The current extrication tools were
purchased in approximately the year 2000. Over the years the tools have fallen behind in performance
compared to today’s tools and have lost some of their operating capabilities. Our current tools have a
cutting pressure of approximately 140,000 pounds of cutting force. There are some new cars that are
constructed out of much stronger steel, and our current tools would not have the ability to cut through
this new type of steel, prolonging the time it would take to extricate a patient from the vehicle.
In October, the Fire Department brought in three vendors (Genesis, Hurst, & Holmatzo) to showcase
their current vehicle extrication equipment. More than 20 firefighters spent approximately two and half
hours testing and utilizing the tools on junk cars to see how they performed.
One feature option that became very apparent was the choice of battery operated over hydraulic tools.
Firefighters quickly were drawn to the battery operated tool as there were no hydraulic cables to fight with
and no portable pumps to have to manage on scene, while still having the same capabilities. The new
extrication tools have a cutting capacity of approximately 340,000 pounds of torque, which is nearly two
and half times the power of our current tools.
Quotes were received from all three vendors for their perspective tools. The Holmatro quote was
$26,821.89/set, the Genesis was $28,863.00/set and the Hurst was $26,565.00/per set. After testing, the
Hurst model was strongly preferred by firefighters. It should be noted that each set of extrication tools
includes a cutter, spreader, and a ram as well as batteries and chargers.
The Department currently carries a set of extrication tools on Engine 11 and 21. Each of those sets would
be replaced and a set would be purchased to outfit the new Engine 12. . With the addition of extrication
tools on this truck, it would be considered a fully operational first out engine that could respond to just
about any type of call.
The 2018 CIP included $95,000 for this purchase. Based on these quotes, the purchase of the Hurst units
will be well within the approved CIP amount.
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff is requesting City Council authorization to purchase 3 sets of vehicle extrication equipment from
Hurtz Co.