CC MEETING: July 7, 2020
DATE: June 29, 2020
TO: Erin Rinehart, City Manager
FROM: Elliott Reep, Emergency Management Coordinator & Gregg Salmi, Fire Chief
Title
Consider Approval Of The Purchase Of Reusable Personal Protective Equipment For Fire And EMS Personnel From Blauer Manufacturing Company, Inc. In An Amount Not To Exceed $142,120.00.
Body
BACKGROUND:
Due to COVID-19, problems with supply chains have challenged CFR’s ability to acquire a guaranteed sufficient supply of personal protective equipment and clothing (PPE). The items currently most affected are disposable NIOSH-certified N-95 masks and disposable isolation gowns. Furthermore, because CFR often operates in uncontrolled environments, the levels of protection afforded by disposable masks and disposable isolation gowns are questionable depending on the situation and unknown levels of exposure to COVID-19. CFR has procured a reusable supplement for the disposable N-95 masks. However, a reusable equivalent for isolation gowns is needed.
This agenda item will fill this need by allowing the purchase of two sets of reusable coveralls for each firefighter. Together with existing reusable masks, this purchase will allow each firefighter to have a completely reusable ensemble that will provide protection from COVID-19 and other biological exposures. These coveralls also provide greater barrier coverage than disposable PPE and can be washed and reused, thus eliminating the need to repeatedly source and purchase disposable PPE for personnel. This will free up the supply of disposable PPE for other City staff. These reusable coveralls can be used for COVID-19 and future pandemics and biohazardous situations that may again make sourcing disposable PPE problematic or impossible.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
This purchase will be charged to the City’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund. Efforts to obtain reimbursement for the purchase will be made through all available funding channels, including possible CARES and FEMA funds.
IMPACT ON COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY:
Protecting emergency responders from contracting COVID-19 and other infectious diseases is imperative to sustainable emergency service delivery to the community. These biohazard coveralls offer a higher level of protection than the disposable PPE currently in use, thus providing an increase in protection of CFR personnel.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION/ACTION DESIRED:
Staff recommends City Council approval of the purchase of reusable personal protection equipment from Blauer Manufacturing Company in an amount not to exceed $142,120.00.