HomeMy WebLinkAboutFD-4-90-~~~
TOWN OF NEWCASTLE
REPORT File # !D•S7S•
Res. #
By-Law #
ht~TING; GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
OAjE; JULY 9, 1990.
REPORT #;FD 4-90 FILE #: 10.12.6
$UB,FCT; REALLOCATION OF FUNDS
RECOMMENDATIONS:
it is respectfully recommended:
1.) THAT Report FD 3-90 be received;
2.) THAT approval be given to reallocate funds approved
in the 1990 Capital Budget;
3.) THAT these funds be used to purchase bunker suits
for the firefighters at Station #3, Orono and
Station #4, Courtice; and
4.) THAT approval be given to re-tender the 25 bunker
suits .approved in the 1990 Capital Budget, to take
advantage of savings that may be realized by the
larger number of suits required.
1. BACKGROUND
1.1 During the budget process for 1990 capital expenditures,
Council approved an amount of $250,000 to purchase a new
Fire Department Pumper truck.
1.2 The successful bidder, during the tendering process, was
Superior Fire Equipment, Red Deer, Alberta. Our
understanding from suppliers, prior to the tendering
process, was that the vehicle would cost us approxi-
mately $230,000 to $250,000. As a result of the
tendering process, the Town was able to acquire the
required pumper truck for $197,750, a savings of
$52,250 from the budgeted amount.
804
. • ~ _
!..
FD 4-90
2. COMMENTS
- 2 -
2.1 The Town of Newcastle Fire Department has been in the
process, over the last two years, of phasing in bunker
suits for firefighters. These bunker suits provide a
great deal more protection for firefighters than the
existing style of long coat and rubber boots.
2.2 Council, in the 1990 Capital Budget, approved the next
step in the improvement of firefighter protection by
approving the expenditure for the purchase of bunker
suits for the firefighters at Station #2, Newcastle
Village.
2.3 Once Station #2 firefighters have been outfitted,
Stations #3 and #4 firefighters remain to be provided
with the .advanced protective turn out gear.
2.4 The next phase in upgrading our firefighters'
protective clothing was to obtain Council's approval,
for an expenditure of approximately $42,000 in 1990
dollars, through the 1991 Capital Budget process, to
outfit the firefighters at Stations #3 and #4.
3. RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1 It is therefore respectfully recommended that approval
be given for the reallocation of the unused funds from
the Capital Budget purchase of the pumper truck, to
purchase 50 bunker suits for Stations #3 & #4.
3.2 The 50 bunker suits, in conjunction with the 25 suits
approved in the 1990 Capital Budget, will complete
the transition to the advanced protective turn out gear.
3.3 It should be noted that there have been occasions where
firefighters have received injuries that would not have
occurred if they had been wearing the advanced protection
of bunkers suits. An example recently reported occurred
in Ottawa, where two firefighters received severe burns
to their upper legs, an unprotected area when wearing
the fire coat and rubber boots.
3.4 It is firmly believed that the purchase of the additional
50 bunker suits will, if combined with the tender for the
25 suits, result in a better price being realized for the
75 suits. A savings may also be realized given the fact
that the purchase will be in 1990 dollars and will avoid
any increase due to inflation or the new G.S.T.
Continued......
~~~
• ~ ., _ ,
FD 4-90
- 3 -
3.5 I also believe that it will result in an improvement in
the overall morale and safety within the department,
given that all firefigfhters will be equipped with the
higher quality of protective equipment, thus reducing
the possibility of any firefighters being injured
unnecessarily.
Respectfully submitted,
C~ p
~4 (},,,
Michael G. Creight n,
Fire Chief.
Recommended for presentation
to Committee,
L ence Rotseff,
Chief A nistrative Officer.
MC/sr
June 13, 1990.
3.1
806