SUBJECT
Title
SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE - ACCEPT A DONATION FROM SAN MIGUEL FIRE AND RESCUE (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
County of San Diego Administrative Code Section 66 and Board of Supervisors Policy A-112, Acceptance of Gifts and Donations, permit the acceptance of gifts and donations upon approval by the Board of Supervisors. This is a request to accept a 53-foot mobile fire training trailer manufactured by Fireblast Global in 2008, valued between $16,000 and $19,000 donated by San Miguel Fire and Rescue. The trailer will be modified for the purpose of training firefighters to move in tight crawl spaces with no visibility while wearing full gear and a breathing apparatus.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
1. In accordance with San Diego County Administrative Code Section 66 and Board Policy A-112, accept the donation of a Fireblast trailer from San Miguel Fire and Rescue for use as an advanced fire training simulator for first responders to practice maneuvering in tight spaces while wearing full gear, allowing them to experience entanglement hazards, confined spaces and room searches in blackout conditions while in a safe and controlled environment.
2. Authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to sign a letter of appreciation on behalf of the Board of Supervisors and the County of San Diego to San Miguel Fire and Rescue (Attachment A, on file with the Clerk of the Board).
3. Authorize the Director of San Diego County Fire, or designee, to execute the Donation and Release Agreement for the Fireblast trailer and any and all other documents necessary to complete acceptance of the trailer (Attachment B, on file with the Clerk of the Board).
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
More than 80 percent of the San Diego County Fire Protection District’s (SDCFPD) jurisdictional area qualifies as a disadvantaged unincorporated community, based on a San Diego Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) report on the funding, administration, and performance of the former County Service Area No. 135 (now SDCFPD). San Diego County Fire continues to engage communities through the Community Risk Reduction (CRR) Division, established in 2019. The CRR Division strives to build, enhance, and maintain resilient communities within the SDCFPD’s jurisdictional area through involvement with the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County, the Sunrise Powerlink Fire Mitigation Grants Program, various community outreach opportunities, and by promoting local events aimed at creating safe and livable communities to improve the health and quality of life of residents.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action. If approved, this action will result in acceptance of a donated 2008 53-foot Fireblast trailer valued up to $19,000 from San Miguel Fire and Rescue. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years as a result of today’s action.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
On February 28, 2022, with five advisory board members being present, the San Diego County Fire Protection District (SDCFPD) Fire Advisory Board voted unanimously in support of accepting the donation of a Fireblast trailer from San Miguel Fire and Rescue.
BACKGROUND
On September 24, 2019 (1), the 2020-2025 San Diego County Fire Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan) was presented to the Board of Supervisors. The Strategic Plan presented a vision for the future of San Diego County Fire by focusing on maintaining a well-trained, staffed, and equipped organization. The donation of a 2008 53-foot Fireblast trailer from San Miguel Fire and Rescue aligns with the goals laid out in the Strategic Plan by strengthening the partnership between the County and local independent fire agencies in the unincorporated areas of the region. In addition, this equipment will allow firefighters to practice maneuvering in tight spaces while wearing full gear, allowing them to experience entanglement hazards, confined spaces and room searches in blackout conditions to better provide fire protection services to our rural communities.
While originally manufactured for live-fire simulations, County Fire intends to convert the apparatus for future use as a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Confidence Course to refine rescue skills in confined spaces and under duress. Firefighters are able to practice navigating in heavy smoke and no light conditions, through an obstacle filled maze, featuring small openings, tunnels, rope entanglements, and hatches, both individually and as a team. Additionally, participants can practice air conservation, low air bailouts and calming techniques for high stress situations.
Today’s request will accept a Fireblast trailer from San Miguel Fire and Rescue valued up to $19,000. The one-time cost for future restoration and conversion to a SCBA Confidence Course is estimated between $130,000 and $150,000 which is still more economical than purchasing brand new equipment which could cost up to $215,000, with prices and delivery timelines continuing to increase due to issues with the global supply chain. Ongoing maintenance costs are estimated at $500 a year and will be included in future Operational Plans for San Diego County Fire. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years as a result of today’s action
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed action to accept the Fireblast trailer donated by San Miguel Fire and Rescue supports the Community initiative of the County’s Fiscal Years 2022-2027 Strategic Plan by maximizing the fire protection training resources available through community partnerships with local agencies in the unincorporated areas.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN N. ROBBINS-MEYER
Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
Attachment A - Letter of Appreciation to San Miguel Fire and Rescue
Attachment B - Donation and Release Agreement