To: Board of Supervisors
From: Lewis Broschard, Chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
Report Title: Purchase Order for Hazardous Materials Equipment
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Acting as the governing board of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Purchasing Agent, on behalf of the Fire Chief, to execute a purchase order with Hazmat Resource, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $355,000 for hazardous materials equipment.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This purchase order will be funded through a combination of Federal funding in the amount of $309,577 (87.2%) from the State Homeland Security Grant Program and $45,423 (12.8%) from the CCCFPD General Operating Fund.
This is a regional grant with equipment purchased for San Ramon Valley Fire, Richmond Fire, Contra Costa County Health-Hazmat, and Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. The other agencies will reimburse the District for their share of the costs of this grant and the associated equipment.
BACKGROUND:
On December 5, 2023, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (District) received Board approval to apply for and accept grant funding from the State Homeland Security Grant Program.
The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, in cooperation with the three other hazardous materials (hazmat) agencies within the County (San Ramon Valley Fire, Richmond Fire, and Contra Costa County Health-Hazmat), is requesting funds for the purchase of two (2) pieces of hazmat equipment per agency.
The first piece of equipment is an advanced handheld chemical identifier that uses spectroscopy to quickly analyze unknown substances. This will enable hazmat teams to rapidly identify hazardous materials on-site, facilitating faster decision-making and reducing mitigation times during emergencies.
The second piece of equipment is a portable gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer that provides real-time analysis of volatile organic compounds and chemical warfare agents. This will enhance the hazmat teams’ ability to assess and mitigate risks associated with chemical releases.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Without a purchase order, the District will not be able to purchase this grant-funded equipment and will lose the ability to strengthen each hazmat agency’s response capability.