The current 2021 budget for the Fire Department provides for the replacement of expired turnout gear, and for the repair of existing turnout gear.

The firefighting turnout gear is used on a daily basis in many applications including: structural firefighting, auto extrications, EMS calls, training and technical rescue calls. Turnout gear has an expiration date of ten years from the manufacture date. The Fire Department has seven sets of turnout gear that expire at the end of this year (2021), and nine sets of turnout gear that are nearing expiration. These nine sets have damage to them where the cost of repair would not provide a good return on investment versus the longevity of new turnout gear.

In addition, the new firefighting turnout gear will not contain the chemical “per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances” (PFAS), which are a group of chemicals used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. PFAS is a known cancer-causing chemical which is contained in older firefighting turnout gear.

To accommodate the safety considerations of PFAS-free turnout gear, along with other features, the Fire Department has selected Honeywell Morning Pride turnout gear. W.S Darley & CO is the authorized and sole source provider of Honeywell Morning Pride turnout gear. W.S Darley & CO has supplied the Fire Department with firefighter turnout gear in the past, and has provided the Arlington Heights Fire Department with the Des Moines, Iowa competitive purchasing price.  The Des Moines Iowa account is the largest in the Midwest.

Funds are available and have been budgeted in the 2021 Fire Capital Projects Fund #50-15, Other Equipment, FF Turn Out Gear Replacement Program.  The cost for a set of firefighter turnout gear is $2,527.32. Total cost for sixteen sets is $40,437.12.

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the Village Board waive competitive bidding requirements and authorize the purchase of Honeywell Morning Pride turnout gear from W.S Darley & CO by using the Des Moines, Iowa competitive purchasing agreement in the amount of $40,437.12. This turnout gear meets the standards of NFPA for firefighter turnout gear and W.S Darley & CO has written a custom specification for the Arlington Heights Fire Department that meets all of our needs and standards.  W.S Darley & CO has been a responsible vendor to the Village in the past.