SR-205-007 (12)
City Council Meeting: August 26, 2003
TO:
Mayor and City Council
FROM:
City Staff
SUBJECT:
Recommendation to Approve Donation of Obsolete Used Fire Department
Equipment and Clothing to the El Camino Community College Fire
Academy on behalf of the City of Santa Monica.
Introduction
This report requests that the City Council authorize the donation of obsolete used fire
equipment and clothing to the El Camino Community College Fire Academy.
Background
The Training Division of the Santa Monica Fire Department has accumulated ventilation
fans, chain saws, generators, lights and personal protective gear. This equipment has
been taken out of service and is no longer suitable for emergency response. Surplus
equipment must be disposed of at auction absent authorization for alternative
disposition by the City Council.
Discussion
The El Camino Community College Fire Academy has a long tradition of providing an
excellent learning experience for men and women who are pursuing a career in the fire
service. This donation will assist the El Camino Fire Academy in continuing instruction
for current firefighters and aid in the development of future firefighters. Several of Santa
Monica recruit firefighters were graduates of its multi-faceted training facility. Through
involvement in the South Bay Fire Chief’s Association, the Santa Monica Fire
Department has utilized this facility for training on several occasions, most recently to
experience the fire behavior referred to as ‘flash over’. This dangerous phenomenon is
infrequent but deadly, and very few facilities offer this type of training opportunity.
Council approval is required for this donation. On a case-by-case basis, the City
Council has previously approved the donation of obsolete and used fire equipment and
clothing to other worthy causes. This donation to the El Camino Fire Academy is timely
and would be greatly appreciated by both staff and students. There is no similar Fire
Academy training program at Santa Monica College. The donation of this equipment
will not impact Fire Department operations.
Budget/Financial Impact
The salvage value of the listed items has been estimated as follows: ventilation fans -
$200; chain saws - $500; power tools, generators and lights - $1,500 and clothing -
$1,000. The total value of the donation is estimated at $3,200. There is no budget
impact.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the donation of obsolete used
equipment and clothing to the El Camino Community College Fire Academy.
Prepared by: Ettore A. Berardinelli, Fire Chief
William Kolberg, Deputy Fire Chief
Dan Matthies, Division Chief, Training Officer