title
CONSIDERATION OF THE DECLARATION OF SEVENTY-NINE (79) USED SELF CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AS SURPLUS AND/OR OBSOLETE AND AUTHORIZATION OF THE DONATION THEREOF TO THE OKLAHOMA STATE FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION.
Body
BACKGROUND: The Norman Fire Department provides self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) to all firefighting personnel, which is one of the major components associated with the ability to safely deliver services. The subject SCBA units fail to meet the current National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard, which is Labeled NFPA 1981 -- “Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus for Emergency Services, 2013 Edition”. These units were purchased in October 2004 and were certified to NFPA 1981, 2002 standard.
DISCUSSION There is a need among volunteer fire departments for this type of equipment, considered obsolete for career fire departments. After some evaluation, the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association could re-issue any of the items that had working life left to volunteer departments who cannot afford to purchase them. Section 8-301 of the code of the City of Norman provides that “The City Council must declare surplus or obsolete any supplies, materials, or equipment where the valuation exceeds one thousand dollars ($1,000) prior to the selling of such supplies, materials, or equipment.”
The Norman Fire Department currently has seventy-nine (79) used self-contained breathing apparatus packs and 120 spare bottles to donate to the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association. The current value for the used self-contained breathing apparatus packs and for the spare bottles is approximately $5,000.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed the proposed donation process, and has suggested the use of a “Liability Waiver” form, which would be signed by a representative of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association, holding the City of Norman harmless for the future use or misuse of the SCBA equipment.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended the seventy-nine (79) used self-contained breathing apparatus packs and 120 spare bottles be declared surplus and that the donation to the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association be approved.