Special Purchase - 5 Alarm Fire & Safety Equipment LLC

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I222 S. MICHIGAN STREET SOUTH BEND, INDIANA 466oI-2821 CITY OF SOUTH BEND PETE BUrTIGIRG, MAYOR SOUTH BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT STEPHEN F Cox FIRE CHIEF City of South Bend Board of Public Works PHONE 574/ 235-9255 FAX 574/ Z35-9305 February 7, 2017 Indiana Code 5-22-10-8 allows a purchasing agent to make a special purchase when the compatibility of equipment, accessories or replacement parts is a substantial consideration in the purchase and only one source meets the City's reasonable requirements. We request the Board to approve the purchase of Hurst eDRAULIC Rescue Equipment as a Special Purchase under IC 5-22-10-8 as justified below. In the second half of 2016 the South Bend Fire Deportment began evaluating replacement options for our extrication equipment currently in service on Rescue 1, Engine 10 and Engine 11. This equipment has been in service and heavy use for greater than 15 years and is nearing the end of its useful life. Firefighters hosted several manufacturers and conducted trials and testing with each vendor's equipment and assessed it against several metrics. Serviceability of the product Functionality Compatibility with other local jurisdictions After conducting these evaluations, and collecting feedback from our Captains and firefighters assigned to the affected apparatus, it is our recommendation that the Board of Public Works approve the Special Purchase of the Hurst equipment based on its compatibility with neighboring jurisdictions, as well as the functionality and service history the South Bend Fire department has come to rely on from this manufacturer. Several surrounding agencies, such as Mishawaka, Clay, and Penn Townships use Hurst eDRAULIC tools and we respond with them for extrications on the toll road, US 20 bypass, and State Road 933. We also train and respond with those agencies for Special Operations (tactical rescue, hazardous materials response, confined space entry) and having interoperability is crucial for those cross jurisdictional teams. Mutual responses are not infrequent when responding to extrication on our surrounding highways, and our agreements with surrounding jurisdictions place South Bend Firefighters in direct contact with other agencies personnel and equipment on cross jurisdictional teams. Having a familiarity with the same equipment is crucial. I have enclosed a copy of a letter stating 5 Alarm is the authorized dealer for Hurst products in our region. Tha you for your consideration, Todd Skwarcan Assistant Chief, Services Enclosure JAMEs LuCCKI TODD L. SKWARCAN ANDRF.W J. MYER JOHN CORTHIRR FEDFRICO RODRIGUEZ, JR MET. CHIEF OPERATIONS AssT. CHIEF SERVICES AssT. CHIEF EMS Assr. CHIEF TRAINING FIRF. MARsHAI.