To: Board of Supervisors
From: Lewis Broschard, Chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
Report Title: Purchase Order for PumpPodUSA
☒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 to execute, on behalf of the Fire Chief, a purchase order with PumpPodUSA, in an amount not to exceed $415,000 for the purchase of six helicopter dip tanks.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Budgeted. 100% Measure X Funding.
BACKGROUND:
Historically, helicopters in firefighting operations have depended on nearby lakes, reservoirs, or the bay for water sources. A HeloPod is a portable water storage system that allows helicopters to quickly refill their tanks during operations. By strategically placing HeloPods, provided by PumpPodUSA, across the County, the Fire District can establish and access dedicated water points in remote locations. This initiative will reduce the distance between water sources and fire sites, enabling faster response times and improving overall efficiency in fire suppression efforts.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The Fire District would have slower response times due to helicopters being forced to travel longer distances to access water from lakes, reservoirs, or the bay.