HomeMy WebLinkAbout9.1 Motion to waive the bid process and accept a proposal from Equipment Management Company for the purchase of Extrication Equipment (two S49 SL-I spreaders, two S44 SL-I spreaders, four C240 Cutters, and one SL-I 22/54 Telescopic Ram) for an amount not
Village of Mount Prospect
Fire Department
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: FIRE CHIEF JOHN DOLAN
FROM: DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF TOM WANG
DATE: SEPTEMBER 30, 2024
SUBJECT: EXTRICATION EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT
The Fire Department is requesting the Board to waive the bid process for the
acceptance of the proposal from Equipment Management Company (EMC), for the
purchase of extrication equipment including 2024 budget cycle, the Fire Department has
a CIP item for $135,000 for new extrication equipment which includes 2-S49 SL-I
spreaders, 2-S44 SL-I spreaders, 4-C240 Cutters, and 1-SL-I 22/54 Telescopic Ram.
The current equipment was purchased in 2014 and is currently on a 10-year
replacement schedule, due to better technology and maneuverability.
In 2014, the Tool Committee tested extrication tools from Hurst, Holmatro, and Genesis.
The committee chose the Genesis extrication tools because the tools were lighter, had
more power, had easily replaceable parts, and the design was more efficient during
extrication. The Department purchased 4 sets of tools from Genesis. The purchase
included 3 battery-powered cutters and 3 battery-powered spreaders for use on Engine
11, Engine 14, and Tower 13. The fourth set of tools located on Engine 12 included a
hydraulic spreader, cutter, ram, and a gas-powered hydraulic generator to power them.
Having extrication equipment on all fire apparatus provides immediate extrication
operations by the in-district apparatus.
The technology has improved so much in the last 10 years that the main difference with
this purchase is that all the tools will be battery-operated. The tools themselves still
operate on hydraulic fluid, but the removable batteries are what power them. In the
past, the drawback to battery-operated extrication tools was their slow operation speeds
and decreased powers. The new generation of battery-powered extrication tools has
closed the gap and performs as well as hydraulic tools. Some additional benefits of
battery-operated tools are:
No cords to prevent firefighters from having to place fire apparatus close to the
scene
Being able to press a button and immediately begin operating the tool
Replacement batteries are approximately $150 which enables the Department to
have many extra batteries for a prolonged extrication
Lightweight and portable
On February 8, 2024, the tool committee met to test the latest generation of extrication
tools from Genesis. The committee tried all the products – spreader, cutter, and ram.
Since the introduction of Genesis extrication tools in 2014 to the Department, we have
been extremely happy with their performance, reliability, and maintenance. The
Committee did not feel the need to demo tools from the other companies as many of the
committee members have gone to several vehicle extrication classes and used tools
from the other brands and have found that the Genesis tools remain the best.
We intend to purchase 2-S49 SL-I spreaders, 2-S44 SL-I spreaders, 4-C240 Cutters, and
1-SL-I 22/54 Telescopic Ram. The tools will replace the current set on all fire apparatus.
The price also reflects purchasing 12 spare batteries and trading in our current extrication
tools with a credit of $14,995. This will give us 2 sets of extrication equipment both north
and south of the tracks.
Earlier this year, the Department attempted to secure grant funding for this purchase
through the Assistance for Firefighters Grant (AFG) but was unsuccessful.
Staff is recommending that the Board accept proposal from Equipment Management
Company for the purchase of 2-S49 SL-I spreaders, 2-S44 SL-I spreaders, 4-C240
Cutters, and 1-SL-I 22/54 Telescopic Ram at a price not to exceed $134,728.
Deputy Chief Tom Wang
TW/tw