Transitional Project - Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
(SCBA)
The Emergency and Protective Services Committee recommends that the appropriate City Officials be authorized
to release a Request for Proposal for SCBA equipment and to report back to Council through the Committee when
the terms and conditions of an agreement to purchase new SCBA equipment and trade-in existing SCBA equipment
from one or more recommended suppliers is ready for Council approval.
The Emergency and Protective Services Committee submits the following report (May 21, 1998) from the Fire
Chief:
Purpose:
This report is to respond to Committee=s request for further information relating to the acquisition options available and
the methodology to be used by staff of the Fire Services to choose a supplier of SCBA, the criteria and rationale for its
selection, the opportunities for salvaging existing equipment and information on the life span of the current stock.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Transitional funding in the amount of $2,000,000 has been placed on budget Priority List AB@ for the purpose of
acquiring approximately 700 breathing apparatus, cylinders, voice amplifiers, face pieces, associated equipment and spare
parts.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that this report be received for information purposes, that staff be authorized to release a Request for
Proposal for SCBA equipment, and that staff be directed to report back to council through committee when the terms and
conditions of an agreement to purchase new SCBA equipment and trade-in existing SCBA equipment from one or more
recommended suppliers is ready for council approval.
Council Reference/Background/History:
Currently, there are three different types of self-contained breathing apparatus in use by firefighters in the Toronto Fire
Services: (1) Mine Safety Appliances - 4500 Custom II, (2) Scott (4.5 & 2.2), and (3) International Safety Instruments.
These three different apparatus types are not compatible with each other with the result that firefighter safety could be
compromised.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
Staff of the Fire Services have had various conversations with suppliers active in this marketplace and through experience,
have determined that the only proven way to confirm an SCBA supplier is to outfit firefighters with different equipment
from the various suppliers and test these products in the field. Suppliers have been obviously reluctant to provide large
quantities of SCBA equipment to fire departments for lengthy testing periods without first having some commitment from
council that funds have been budgeted for this purpose. Accordingly, the Fire Service requests approval to release a
Request for Proposal for the acquisition of new equipment, and the trade-in of existing SCBA equipment.
The technology that is required would have to incorporate amongst others, the following criteria: built-in safety factors,
(e.g. voice communications, pass alarms, etc.), be sufficiently light in weight, durable, relatively maintenance free, cost
effective both in initial capital cost and ongoing operating costs, manufacturer=s service support, cost of replacement parts,
length and conditions of warranty, etc.
The evaluation process would include an equipment testing period that would extend for 90 - 120 days and would occur in
various stations across the city. Selected staff from all affected and applicable divisions (including the Health and Safety
Committee) would form an Evaluation Committee and be charged with the responsibility of recommending to the Fire
Chief a supplier for new SCBA equipment and a purchaser for our used equipment. It is possible that one supplier might be
contracted for both of these needs. The Evaluation Team would conduct the applicable equipment tests (e.g. water
submersion test, fogging test, etc.) and be responsible for ensuring that each supplier=s product meets the required safety
regulations presently in effect.
Many opportunities exist for salvaging existing equipment as discussions have been held with interested parties. From
verbal valuations given to date, we expect to realize approximately $500 per unit for each of the 843 units presently in use
for a total of about $421,500. We would of course obtain written quotations for the purchase from us of this surplus
equipment.
Due to the fact that the six former fire departments acquired equipment that was not compatible amongst themselves, we
must now standardize for a variety of reasons, the most important reason being firefighter safety. The current stock still has
a reasonable life span and it is this residual value that makes these units attractive to the >used equipment= marketplace.
Conclusions:
The next step in the acquisition process is the release of a Request for Proposal detailing the technical requirements for
SCBA equipment and the conditions for the bidding process. In order to effectively amalgamate the former six Fire
Departments into one emergency response service, this is a very necessary component that will allow for the safe
movement of staff between fire station locations.
Contact Names:
William Stewart
397-4304
Norm Gibbons
397-4315
