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TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: Mark Lockwood, Assistant Chief
DATE: 1/8/2016
SUBJECT:
Finance Committee resolution to accept the bid from AIR ONE Equipment Inc. (Hurst) for the purchase of four (4) sets of hydraulic rescue tools.
PURPOSE:
To purchase four (4) sets of battery powered hydraulic rescue tools to replace existing hydraulic rescue tools currently in use on the three (3) Aurora Fire Department front-line ladder trucks and (1) Reserve ladder truck. The individual tool sets will consist of one (1) hydraulic spreader, one (1) hydraulic cutter, one (1) hydraulic telescoping rescue ram, two (2) batteries per tool, battery chargers and a 110 volt electrical adapter to be used in replacement to battery power. This purchase will aid in producing more effective operations on the emergency rescue scene.
BACKGROUND:
The Aurora Fire Department desires to replace four (4) sets of front-line hydraulic rescue tools with battery-powered hydraulic rescue tools. These tools will compliment, and through attrition replace, the existing hydraulic rescue tools that are currently in service on the three (3) front-line ladder trucks and reserve truck. Many of the components of the existing rescue tools on the individual ladder trucks are approximately fifteen (15) years old and are made up of rescue tools that are connected to two (2), one hundred (100) foot hydraulic hoses on vehicle mounted electric reels. These hoses are then connected to a gasoline-powered hydraulic power unit. With multiple mechanical connections in the existing systems, this leaves room for fluid leaks and in turn, can cause failure of the entire system. In the past, this was the best available system for the rapid removal of a victim or victims from the effects of a vehicle accident or other type of entrapment.
DISCUSSION:
Advances in technology and manufacturing have allowed rescue equipment manufacturers to condense the above system components into more portable, s...
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