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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: David McCabe, Fire Assistant Chief, and Jim Rufer, Fire Battalion Chief
DATE: February 21, 2019
SUBJECT:
A resolution to purchase sixty (60) tactical ballistic vests, helmets, accessories, and medical supplies to prepare the Aurora Fire Department to effectively respond to, and treat the victims of, a mass casualty or active assailant incident.
PURPOSE:
To outfit the Aurora Fire Department personnel and apparatus with the necessary equipment to safely and effectively respond to, and provide life-saving care to, victims of a mass casualty or active assailant incident.
BACKGROUND:
The Aurora Fire Department began rescue task force (RTF) training in conjunction with the Aurora Police Department in 2018, as one facet of the larger Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attack (CCTA) grant and program.
DISCUSSION:
Rescue Task Force (RTF) is a method by which teams of police officers and firefighters systematically search for, treat, and remove to safety for transport to a medical facility, people who have been injured during an active assailant event. The RTFs enter a structure or area where an assailant may not yet be neutralized, but is isolated from the location where victims are believed to be. By RTFs going into action and providing life-saving bleeding and airway treatment in a timely manner, victims of an attack have a better chance of survival.
Aurora Fire Department personnel, after consulting with Aurora Police Department SRT leader Rick Robertson and multiple ballistic protection vendors, developed a list of requirements for ballistic protection for the fire department that would provide a high level of protection, yet allow personnel to effectively perform emergency medical care for victims of an attack. Five quotes were received for the ballistic protection equipment, which all met the requirements for the equipment the fire department had set, which includes the vests, helmets, and related accessories.
Research was done on-line to find appropriate eye protection, and goggles that best fit our needs are sold by Galeton at a cost of $5.36 each. These goggles feature adjustable straps and fit snug to the face to protect the user's eyes from injuries due to shrapnel and debris.
The medical supplies will be purchased from Henry Schein Medical Supply, which is the company the fire department orders medical supplies from on a daily operational level. Henry Schein has provided competitive pricing, quick turn-around times, and excellent customer service, including an offer to overnight any needed equipment to the fire department after the Henry Pratt incident on 2/15/19.
The original decision package included forty five (45) ballistic protection packages, with the intention of them being placed on all of the Aurora Fire Department's front-line engine and truck companies. With recent events, the decision to have ballistic protection for all on-duty personnel dictates the need for sixty (60) units, which will provide protection to personnel on all the AFD ambulances as well. The increase in the number of units required the fire department to request an additional $40,000 be added to the decision package amount.
However, after reviewing all of the quotes for the ballistic protection packages, as well as computing the cost of the necessary medical supplies, the total cost to acquire all of the necessary equipment for RTF is $86,349.25. Funds will be available in accounts 255-3033-422.61-40 (Supplies/Equipment) and 255-3033-422.65-26 (Supplies/Medical).
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The Aurora Fire Department and Aurora Police Department are committed to serving the citizens of Aurora, including responding to situations involving extreme danger. By outfitting fire department personnel with protective equipment during an active assailant event, they are better prepared to perform those duties in as safe a manner as possible. In turn, victims of an attack can be reached and treated sooner, resulting in better outcomes for them.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the city council authorize the purchase of sixty (60) ballistic vests, helmets, accessories, and medical supplies for the Aurora Fire Department's rescue task force response..
cc: Alderman O'Connor, Chairman
Alderman Mesiacos
Alderman Bugg
Alderman Mervine, Alternate
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing the purchase of sixty (60) ballistic vests, helmets, accessories, goggles, and medical supplies for the Aurora Fire Department in the amount of $86,349.25 from Pro-Tech, Henry Schein Medical Supply, and Galeton.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the members of the Aurora Fire Department have taken an oath to protect lives within the city of Aurora, IL, and
WHEREAS, the Aurora Fire Department and Aurora Police Department have jointly trained in responding to incidents involving violent attacks, including Rescue Task Force (RTF) procedures, and
WHEREAS, the Aurora Fire Department strives to maintain the highest state of readiness to respond to assist the victims of an active assailant incident,
WHERAS, to effectively search for, treat, and remove victims of a violent attack, the fire department members need to be outfitted ballistic protection and life-saving medical equipment; and
WHEREAS, the funds for this purchase will be available in the following accounts:
255-3033-422-6140 in the amount of $66,412.80 for tools and equipment.
255-3033-422-6526 in the amount of $19,936.45 for medical supplies.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, finds as facts all of the preamble recitals of this Resolution and hereby authorize the purchase of sixty (60) ballistic protection packages from Pro-Tech in the amount of $65984.00, medical supplies from Henry Schein Medical Supply in the amount of $19936.45, and safety googles from Galeton <http://www.galeton.com> in the amount of $428.80.