SCBAs (Self-contained Breathing Apparatus) are an OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requirement for all fireground operations performed in or around any environment considered to be immediately dangerous to life and health, or IDLH. This includes all active fire incidents, hazardous materials incidents, confined space incidents, certain biological medical calls, etc.
 
As the Fire Department continues to regularly inspect and maintain its inventory of SCBAs, extra bottles, SCBA masks, and voice amplifiers, Staff has identified (50) SCBAs that require replacement. NFPA 2018 (National Protection Standard Association) states that when SCBAs have passed four edition updates, they should be replaced to meet the current industry specification standard. The current SCBAs were purchased in 2008 utilizing the 2007 NFPA industry specification standard.
 
By year 2023, the current inventory of SCBAs will be 15 years old and out of NFPA compliance causing an increase in maintenance and repair costs due to age, parts availability, and being out of warranty.
 
Staff also identified (40) bottles that will be out of compliance in 2023. Per DOT, NFPA, OSHA and the manufacturer, these bottles must be taken out of service and replaced.
 
Per OSHA, DOT and NFPA, Firefighters are not permitted to use SCBA bottles past the manufacturer’s listed service life. The Fire Department has just enough SCBA bottles to outfit every on duty firefighter with a primary bottle and two spares. The department will be short of that inventory if a timely replacement doesn't occur.
 
After careful research and effort to keep the Fire Department’s response readiness at the highest priority, this personal protective equipment was earmarked several years ago to make sure they were replaced in a timely manner. Staff determined that the Fire Department can piggyback on a CAL FIRE purchase order which will save the City approximately 40%.
 

The new SCBA specification has enhanced safety features, updates, and changes that will allow our Firefighters to maintain compliance and interoperability with other Orange County fire departments. In addition, the current equipment profile has been streamlined to help reduce our firefighters from becoming entangled and entrapped when performing interior search and rescue operations. Below are several other important improvements to this valuable life safety equipment:

The fire department requires (50) new SCBAs along with (50) SCBA bottles (to replace the (40) bottles that expired and some that have been condemned). The City can realize a 40% savings if it goes with the CAL FIRE purchase order which would include for every SCBA purchased, (1) bottle, (1) mask, and (1) voice amplifier. This will provide essential life safety equipment to keep the Brea Fire Department at a high level of readiness and safety.
 
As a result, the cost would be $289,829.49 for (50) SCBA-Paks, bottles, masks, and voice amplifiers versus the cost of $497,132.64 if purchased individually and outside the CAL-Fire order. This equates to $207,303.15 in savings by utilizing the CAL-Fire contract.
 
The new SCBAS will have a lifetime warranty eliminating the rising cost of maintenance and repairs. NFPA 2023 edition Scott X3 Pro-Pak SCBA would provide an improved level of safety to our Firefighters and would enable interoperability with our mutual aid partners within Orange County.
 
The pricing for these items is based on the State of California contract # 1-17-42-04 as awarded to AllStar Fire Equipment Inc. The current contract expires on June 30, 2022 and the State has not rebid and awarded these items. AllStar Fire Equipment Inc. has informed the City of Brea that it will honor the prior contract prices.