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sr-031081-6f(1AK a fl 1~~1 Santa Monica, California, March 4, 1981 T0: Mayor and City Council FROM: Staff y SUBJECT: Purchase of Apparatus for Fire Department Introduction This report will recommend an approval of a waiver of bid and authorize bid- ding for an aerial ladder truck. Summary The apparatus inventory of the Fire Department currently has limited aerial ladder capability. Generally, the apparatus needs of a fire department con- sists of pumpers which provide water pumping capabilities and trucks which provide the necessary support function at the scene of a structure fire. The support function of a truck company entails laddering of the structure, for- ci61e entry, ventilation, salvage work, search and rescue, and any other mis- cellaneous task that will aid the application of water for extinguishment. Laddering of structure fires serves numerous purposes. It provides for access to upper floors of multi-story buildings and egress or rescue of trapped oc- cupants. Of primary importance is access of firefighters to the roof of a structure when ventilation is needed. Ventilation is a key element of overall firefighting strategy. It essentially consists of the vertical release of heat, smoke and poisonous gases generated by the combustion process. Effect- ive ventilation procedures facilitate the entry of firefighters into the ~J r MAR 1 0 198i' To: Mayor and Council - 2 - March 4, 7987 structure for extinguishment purposes. It also provides for early search and rescue efforts.. Laddering of one story and some two story buildings does not generally pose a special problem since one person can raise the shorter ladders. On larger buildings, however, the larger ladders must be used and it takes 3 people to raise such a ladder. It can easily be seen that an entire truck crew could be tied down for an extended period of time in the Laddering task which causes a delay in other functions. The apparatus now used by the truck company of the Santa Monica Fire De- partment is a T968 Crown 85' Shorkel and a Van which carries a varied in- ventory of equipment that is utilized by truck company members. The primary purpose of the design and utilization of the Snorkel type apparatus is to provide an elevated stream of water. The apparatus fulfils that function in a highly effective manner, but it is used for this purpose in a very small percentage of fires in Santa MonTea. It does not provide the access or rescue function in an effective manner. The lack of maneuverability and slow basket operation preclude the use of the apparatus as an effective day to day fire- fighting piece of equipment. On the basis of a 15 year first line and 5 year reserve status, this apparatus. would be due for replacement in 7984. The current mileage is 28,345 miles. r'ire Department Staff has been advised of. the availability of a used aerial ladder truck. The subject apparatus is currently in service with the Redondo Beach Fire Department and is scheduled for replacement in April, 1981. The apparatus is a 7960 Seagrave with an 85' aerial ladder with a mileage of 6,000 miles. It was repowered in 1973 with a GMC diesel engine and was equipped with an automatic transmission at the same time. Fire Department staff member To: Mayor and Council - 3 - March 4, 1981 and the Fire Department mechanic have thoroughly inspected the apparatus, including the maintenance records, and have determined that it is in excel- lent condition. Additionally, it is estimated that it would provide 6-8 years of first Tine service. The Redondo Beach Fire Chief has advised that a $30,000 minimum bid will be required when the apparatus goes to salbage. A new apparatus of the same type is now priced at $225,000. An aerial ladder truck would greatly increase the level of effectiveness of the Fire Department in structure firefighting. The ladder can be quickly raised to upper floors of a structure by the apparatus operator, releasing other members to complete required tasks in a timely manner. It has good maneuverability and can be positioned for access to some buildings that are not easily reached with the present truck company apparatus. In addition, one apparatus could replace the existing two pieces of equipment. It is the opinion of Staff that the acquisition of the subject apparatus would be a cost effective means of providing a higher level of firefighting effectiveness. There is currently sufficient savings in the Capital Outlay Account of the Fire Department to provide funds for the purchase. The ap- paratus presently in service would be placed in reserve status and would be available for special call when an elevated water stream is needed. The Van could be utilized for the Air Cascade system which is presently being developed. Recommendation It is recommended City Council adopt a resolution waiving bid procedures and authorize bidding for a used aerial ladder truck. Prepared by: Thomas C. Tolman TGT:bg COMPARISON AERIAL LADDER 1. Goes into operation faster than elevation platform (NFPA #1901 operational tests 11-5.2.1 "Elevate ladder, rotate 90o and extend to full specified height in 60 seconds. ' ELEVATING PLATFORM 1. NFPA #1901 OP Tests. 11-6.2.1 "Extend to full specified height and rotate 90 in 150 seconds. It takes the elevated platform 150% more time to perform the same operational test. This speed advantage allows the ladder to be placed in operation. immedi- ately, effecting immediate roof access for ventilation, or window placement for rescue. 2. Provides a continuous rescue pathway to Bound. Lends itself to a quick mass evacuation from fire building.. 2. Requires raising and lowering each time victims are rescued from upper floors. (This is further limited by the fact that it functions at a slower speed.. See Item #l.) 3. Can be operated by one man at pedestal. 4. Provides greater horizontal reach and. stability for given length at lower angles. 3. Requires at least 2 men to operate; one at pedestal, one at basket controls. (Fire Chiefs' Handbook recom- mends 1 man at pedestal and 2 men in basket. pg. 127) 4. See illustration below Fwczs F6. denial ladder vs. snorkel (lttustr¢tes .refs- '. live reach of aerialladder as compare~2 witk. eieuated a~~amtru. F_¢ch liaa distinct ¢dvaertages,descnbed in tlm -test be&xa.k -- -- 4. (continued) Buildings with. setbacks. provide reach problems for articulating arm. type ap- paratus. ".. tasts show that on two apartment buildings and 5 hospitals., none could be reached from the front with any mobile platform ... The setback was approximately 60' from the curb line and this precluded any of the available elevating platforms reaching any part of the building. .But a17 floors could 6e reached with a 100' aerial. (Fire Chiefs' Handbook, page 124). A number of Santa Monica's newer buildings are set back from the street in this manner. 5. Aerial ladder provides more ample and convenient space for carrying ground lad- ders and other equipment. This would allow Santa Monica Fire Department to place equipment now carried on R-1 on an aerial ladder and effectively replace 2 vehicles with one. {MFA page l36) 6. Aerial ladder has greater load carrying capacity at proper angles and when resting against a support. Another asset when considering a rescue mission. Elevating platform is limited to basket load (750#) minus weight of firemen in basket. (350#). This only allows approximately 2-3 people per-trip. 7. Ground jacks for aerial ladder are less massive and. do not have to be hydrauli- cally operated. They have less spread than elevating platform and can be placed more quickly. (MFA page 135). "Elevating booms and platforms-are. much heavier than an aerial ladder of comparable vertical reach.. Thus, having a concentrated load at the outer end, plus greater weight of the booms, a wider spread of ground jacks or outriggers is required. These outriggers are more massive than jacks on an aerial ladder and are therefore operated hydraulically". (Fire Chiefs' Handbook). 8. The aerial ladder provides a more stable base when in the tractor-trailer com- bination as the unit can be placed in an outside jack-knife position. This jack- . knife position can provide over 200% more stability than the in-line position. The elevating platform al~wa~s operates from an in-line position. {Fire Appara- tus and Equipment, Page-~5a-) 9. Tractor-Trailer combination with tiller provides more roadability, and maneuver- ability in traffic and on narrow streets. Tillerman at rear is also an added safety feature in all aspects of driving. (i.e., Code 2, 3, backing,. etc. ) also comparative turning radius is 27' for aerial ladder vs 37 ft. for Snorkel. 70. Hydraulic system of aerial ladder is less complicated than elevating platform. (MFA Page 137). Hoisting mechanism is usually a power take-off, eliminating need for auxilliary engine. Both factors add up to reduced maintenance costs. 11. The nature of an articulating arm type elevating platform has the built-in dis- advantage of the knuckle or hinge between the upper and lower boom. The knuckle will "stick-out" on side opposite basket and must always be watched by operators. (Adjacent buildings and power lines may limit use of platform.) 4 FIRE BLDG: ~, L`~, ~. ~ :.t 3~< t.~ `~w ~ ~'. use... ~ i-` n.} F x.. _.--- iN aBSEX[E ~ 7 Awry ! ~iF 7` K.,FP 12. Aerial can be used to ventilate upper floors by extending ladder into windows. 13. Aerial ladder is easier to clzmb off onto roof or through windows. Platform basket will usually only touch on one corner.