Memorandum 19-025 Fire Department Firefighter PPE Needs

Memorandum 19-025

TO:                        MAYOR CASTNER AND HOMER CITY COUNCIL

THROUGH:        KATIE KOESTER, CITY MANAGER

FROM:                 DAN MIOTKE, ACTING ASSISTANT CHIEF

DATE:                   JANUARY 30, 2018

SUBJECT:          FIRE DEPARTMENT FIREFIGHTER PPE NEEDS

One of the most important items that HVFD can do for its members is to ensure their safety. On the front line of this is providing PPE that meets the current industry standards, is in good condition, and fits the user appropriately. NFPA 1851 sets the industry standard for this equipment and is what we strive to meet. The NFPA standard sets a life span of the FF PPE to 10 years of use and in what serviceable condition it is to be maintained.

Our current budget is $16,000/ year for safety equipment. To outfit a firefighter with helmet, boots, and gloves is around $4,000.  This allows us to purchase around 4 sets of gear per year.

In January, HVFD did an inventory of all of it current personal protective equipment for age and condition. This information will be used for planning purposes to allow us to budget appropriately for future purchasing needs of the department. Unfortunately, several immediate needs became apparent.  First, the majority of our helmets, although in good condition, are out or soon to be out of this 10 year period. Secondly, we had an outstanding recruitment for our firefighter class that started this month. Our average class is 5-8 students and this one is currently has 13. Although this is good problem to have, it has put a large strain on our gear inventory.

Firefighting PPE is also made custom to fit person who is wearing it. As we all know, people come in every size and shape. This makes an interesting dilemma when fitting members for gear.  We can’t allow firefighters to operate in hazardous conditions with gear that is too small and could allow a sleeve to ride up their arm and expose skin to the heat of a fire. The gear also must also not be so large as to not allow the firefighter to move and work safely. Due to these circumstances, we have some inventory of gear available but it’s not meeting the safety levels we require.

To meet the current needs of the Department, we are requesting addition funding for 8 sets of gear to the 4 we already have budgeted FY2019 and 25 helmets to replace the current inventory that is over the 10 year life span. This totals to $32,000 for gear and $7,500 for helmets.