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CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO - REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
From:
Larry R. Pitzer, Fire Chief Subject: Authorize submittal of a grant application to
the State of California Business, Transportation
& Housing Agency, Office of Traffic Safety
C :. . ,-. . . ... '~ L COTS) in the amount of $50,000.
Dept:
Fire
Date:
January 14,2002
MC/C Meeting Date:
January 22, 2002
Synopsis of Previous Council Action:
01/22/01
Resolution authorizing the acceptance of a grant from OTS for the purpose of expanding the San
Bernardino Fire Department's vehicle extrication program in the amount of $81,000.00.
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize submittal of a grant application to OTS in the amount of $50,000.
1:
Contact Person: Larrv Pitzer. Fire Chief
Phone: (909) 384-5286
Supporting data attached: Staff Report
Ward: Citvwide
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:
Amount: $0
Source:
(ACCT. No)
(Acct. Description)
Finance:
Council Notes:
Agenda Item No.
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STAFF REPORT
SUBJECT
Authorize submittal of a grant application to the State of California Business,
Transportation & Housing Agency, Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) in the amount of
$50,000.
BACKGROUND
OTS distributes federal funding apportioned to California under the National Highway
Safety Act and the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. OTS strives to direct
funding assistance to agencies with the greatest need. Therefore, a comprehensive
evaluation will be part of the grant application process.
OTS grants are designed to address traffic safety priority areas that include:
. Police traffic services;
. Alcohol and other drugs;
. Occupant protection;
. Pedestrian and bicycle safety;
. Emergency medical services; and
. Traffic records and roadway safety.
The Fire Department is requesting to submit a grant application in the area of emergency
medical services. The grant will fund two thermal imaging cameras that will be of great
value to the community and increase firefighter safety. If the grant is awarded, the
thermal imaging cameras will go out to bid.
Thermal imaging cameras are becoming standard equipment in the fire service. They are
being used during emergency incident scene evaluation that involve:
. locating and determining the amount of hazardous materials product in containers
and tanks;
. aid in locating missing person/s ejected from a vehicle in an accident;
. locating victims and firefighters in a structure fire with reduced time;
. locating the point of origin of the fire so that it can be suppressed earlier to effect
rescue and reduce property damage; and
. locating hot spots of fires during overhaul reducing chances of a rekindle.
Thermal imaging cameras aid firefighters in increasing the efficiency and visibility
during critical situations that requires the use of a thermal imaging camera. The use of
this camera will provide another means of assistance to firefighters during these types of
incidents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This grant requires no matching funds from the City. OTS will reimburse the city through
a standard invoicing process subsequent to equipment purchase. There will be no net
impact to the City's General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize submittal of a grant application to OTS in the amount of $50,000.
2
FIRE DEPARTMENT
LARRY R. PrrZER - FIRE CIIIEF
'"
200 East Third Street. San Bernardino' CA 92410-4889
909.384.5286. Fax: 909.384.5281
www.cLsan-bernardino.ca.us
January 22, 2002
Teresa Becher, Interim Director
Office of Traffic Safety
7000 Franklin Boulevard, Suite 440
Sacramento CA 95823-1899
Subject:
Highway Safety Using Thermal Imaging Cameras
San Bernardino City Fire Department
Dear Ms. Becher:
On behalf of the San Bernardino Fire Department, I would like to thank you for this
opportunity to apply for funds to protect firefighter and civilian life. I am pleased to
submit the enclosed grant application for consideration by your agency for two thermal
imaging cameras.
As required by federal statue, this letter shall serve as documentation that the City of San
Bernardino has requested the benefits of the "Highway Safety Using Thermal Imaging
Cameras" as part of its highway safety program.
The San Bernardino City Fire Department consents to the "Highway Safety Using
Thermal Imaging Cameras" and accepts the work, goods, and/or service provided through
the project.
Thank you for your consideration. If you have any questions, or require additional
information please call Norma Camarena, Administrative Analyst at (909) 384-5388.
Sincere~,
~'-;i~"t
Larry Pit r,
Fire Chie
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cc: Mike Alder, San Bernardino City Fire Department, Battalion Chief
Norma Camarena, San Bernardino City Fire Department, Administrative Analyst
. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS' FIRE PREVENnON . DISASTER PREPAREDNESS. TRAINING
STATE OF CALlFORNIA-QFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY
OTS-136 (Rev. 10-01)
OTSUSEONI.Y
Coversheet for Traffic Safety Concepts CONCEPT NO.
Federal Fiscal Year 2003 Agency Code:
EA:
Fund:
Date: Januarv 22. 2002 County San Bernardino Coordinator:
Agency: San Bernardino City Fire Department Region:
Proposal Title: Highway Safety Using Thermal Imaging Cameras
CONCEPT SUMMARY:
(Summarize project goals and objectives)
San Bernardino City Fire Department goal is to purchase two thermal imaging cameras. The equipment will
provide means of locating ejected traffic victims during night, hang gliding incidents, and location of and
identifying hazardous materials in containers at accident scenes.
The program objectives are as follows: purchase two thermal imaging cameras; train fire personnel on the
operation and maintenance of the equipment; train fire personnel in search and rescue, hazardous materials
detection; and notify all proper OTS staff in regards to issuing press releases about grant funded equipment.
(List major items of expense, e.g., personnel and equipment, etc.)
Two thermal imaging cameras $50,000.
AGENCY CONTACT FUNDING REQUESTED
Name: Norma Camarena Fiscal Year 1 $ 50,000.00
(10-1-02 to 9-30-03)
Title: Administrative Analyst Fiscal Year $
(10-1-03 to 9-30-04)
Mailing Address:
City of San Bernardino Fire Department
200 East Third Street
San Bernardino CA 92410
Phone No.: (909\ 384-5388 Ext.: 1129 Total $ 50.000 00
Fax No.: (909) 384-~:>81
E-mail: camarena no@cLsan-bernardino.ca.us
TRAFFIC SAFETY GRANT CONCEPT
PROJECT TITLE:
Highway Safety Using Thermal Imaging Cameras
AGENCY:
San Bernardino City Fire Department
PROBLEM STATEMENT:
The City of San Bernardino serves a resident population of over 186,000 and covers a diverse service area of
59.3 square miles. Along with being the county seat, the City of San Bernardino is the largest city in the
county. There is approximately 19 miles of wildland/urban interface area, a major rail yard, a jail, two major
mall complexes, three mayor interstate freeways, and an international airport. This causes a significant increase
in traffic collisions and a potential of hazardous material incidents throughout the City. The city is viable for
new citizens, expansion, and new development in the area.
The City of San Bernardino has experienced a population growth of 9.9% over the last ten years. At the same
time the City is looking for many young professional families and new and larger business to move into the
City. These factors will contribute to a significant increase of vehicle traffic incidents and emergency response
within the City of San Bernardino.
The City of San Bernardino is at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains. There are two major regional ski
and recreational resort areas in the San Bernardino Mountains. The main transport to this area is through two
state highways (HWY 18 and 330), that are narrow and steep and both of which run through the City of San
Bernardino.
The San Bernardino City Fire Department responds to accidents on both of these state highways. Most of these
accidents are vehicles that go over the side of the highway, several hundred feet down and need rescuing.
Traffic collisions that involve over the side rescue have become a difficult challenge for the firefighters to
locate victims, because of the visibility and 100-400 feet below grade level. With a thermal imaging camera,
even in the thickest brush or darkest night a firefighter is able to see. The camera will expedite gaining access
to the trapped or ejected victim(s) and use of the new technology equipment will increase the probability of
saving the life of traffic accident victim(s).
Also, hazardous materials are transported through our roadways, railways, freeways, and state highways on a
daily basis, so our City is vulnerable to being exposed to hazardous material incidents. We risk our community
because of the type of chemicals that travel in the form of explosives, flammable and combustible substances,
poisons, and radioactive materials. These substances are released as a result of transportation accidents. A
thermal imaging camera may be used to verify the presence of a material and determine quantities in containers.
The thermal imaging camera is capable in determining level and spread of potential hazards that pose a threat to
the environment or health. In addition, location and extent of fires within cargo carrying vehicles can be
determined; thereby, allowing an effective fire attack.
Currently, the San Bernardino City Fire Department is completing the Vehicle Extrication Program that is 100%
federally funded by your agency. This program is assisting us in acquiring a heavy rescue vehicle and vehicle
extrication equipment that will start the program off in decreasing the traffic collision response time by
apparatus.
San Bernardino City Fire Department - Calls for Service
Type of Incident September 16, 199B-June 30, 1999 July 1, 1999-June 30, 2000 July 1, 200G-June 30, 2001
Response
Traffic Collisions 1,914 2,760 2,755
With the increase in traffic in the City of San Bernardino jurisdiction, there is an increase in traffic collisions,
hazardous materials exposures, and emergency services incidents. We have a need for two thermal imaging
cameras to assist in rescue of traffic collisions were victims are ejected from the vehicle during night and low
light, hang gliding activities in the north end of the city, and containing potentially dangerous hazardous
exposures.
To avoid the catastrophic impact from hazardous materials incidents, traffic collisions, wildland fires in the San
Bernardino wildland/urban interface, night rescue and to improve the safety of our firefighters on the "front
lines", the San Bernardino City Fire Department seeks federal funding to purchase two thermal imaging
cameras. To improve the safety of our firefighters responding to structure fire and hazardous materials incident.
This could mean the difference between life and death for victims of a traffic accident where there are multiple
factors involved.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
Goals
1. To decrease the time to retrieve victims over the side of the mountain or ejected from traffic collisions by
June 30,2003
2. To increase the ability to detect quantities of hazardous materials in containers at accident scenes by June
30, 2003.
3. To increase the safety of fire personnel during hazardous material incidents by June 30, 2003
4. To improve first responder service to traffic collision victims by June 30, 2003
Objectives
1. To e-mail or fax all press releases or media advisories/alerts to the OTS Public Information Officer at
-@ots.ca.gov and OTS Regional Coordinator for approval in advance of their release.
2. To use the following standard language in all press and media materials: "Funding for this program was
provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the Business, Transportation &
Housing Agency."
3. To use the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, California Energy, and Office of Traffic Safety
logos in all press and media materials when feasible and practical.
4. To submit print clips by 9 a.m. to the OTS Public Information Officer bye-mail atpio@ots.ca.gov and OTS
Regional Coordinator, or via fax at (916) 262-2960. Include publication name and date the article was
published on all clips.
S. To email totheOTSPubliclnformationOfficeratoio@ots.ca.gov and OTS Regional Coordinator at least
one month in advance, short description of any new traffic safety event or program.
6. To purchase two thermal imaging cameras.
7. To train fire personnel on the use and operation of the thermal imaging cameras.
8. To place equipment strategically throughout the City of San Bernardino Fire Department.
PROPOSED SOLUTION:
Method of Procedure
Phase I: October I, 2002 through December 31,2002
Open to the public to display and demonstrate available thermal imaging cameras.
Open request for proposal process for vendors to submit bids on the thermal imaging cameras.
Phase II: January 1,2003 through February 28, 2003
Submit for City Council approval to purchase two thermal imaging cameras.
Rev. 11101
-2-
Phase III: March 1,2003 through June 30, 2003
Procurement of equipment and provide all necessary training to personnel regarding operation and handling of
the thermal imaging camera.
Phase IV: March 1,2003 through June 30, 2003
Display thermal imaging cameras during two public demonstrations.
Phase V: Throughout the grant
Gather statistical data relating to the project goals and objectives collected and analyzed.
The equipment we hope to purchase with this grant will help us to reduce the time needed to locate victims and
containing hazardous materials exposure. We will monitor the number of traffic accidents occurring in low
light or dark situation and will document the use of the thermal imaging camera to locate victims and their
impact on saving lives of traffic collision victims.
PROPOSED BEGINNING DATE: October 1.2002
PROPOSED ENDING DATE: June 30. 2003
PROPOSED BUDGET
Budget Category Federal Fiscal Year 1 Federal Fiscal Year 2 Project Total
(from project start date) 1011/03 to (project ending
to 9130/03 date or
9/30/04 whichever comes
first)
Personnel
(include position title, rate, and % of time
on project)
$ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Benefits %
Travel
In-state $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Out-of-state $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Contractual Services
$ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Non-Expendable Property
(>$5,000 including taxes, shipping, set-up,
etc.)
Thermal Imaging Cameras (2) $50,000.00 $ 0.00 $50,000.00
Other Direct Costs
(<$5,000 equipment w/unit cost under
$5,000, materials, printing, etc., include
taxes and shipping) $0.00 $ 0.00 $0.00
Indirect Costs (see instructions) $0.00 $ 0.00 $0.00
Pro.iect Total $50 000.00 $ 0.00 $50 000.00
I
Rev. 11/01
-3-
BUDGET NARRATIVE
PERSONNEL:
N/A
TRAVEL:
N/A
CONTRACTUAL SERVICES:
N/A
NON-EXPENDABLE PROPERTY:
Two thermal imaging cameras:
This includes the camera system, rechargeable batters, battery charger, shoulder and wrist strap, carrying case,
miscellaneous items, and transmitter unit. The unit allows the incident commander to actually see what the
firefighter sees through the camera. It sends a signal to an AC/DC remote screen that can be taped and reviews
for future training.
The cameras will help locate victims ejected from vehicles and during over the side rescues on our mountain
highways (18 and 330) and hazardous materials agents in traffic collisions.
OTHER DIRECT COSTS:
N/A
INDIRECT COSTS:
N/A
Rev. 11101
-4-