REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BILLY P. ALCORN, Fire Chief
Fire Department
SUBJECT
Title
Approve the Award of a Cooperative Purchase Agreement with L.N. Curtis & Sons for firefighting personal protective equipment with related equipment cleaning for a term of two years, not to exceed $2,400,000
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council approve the Cooperative Purchase Agreement with L.N. Curtis & Sons for firefighting personal protective equipment with related equipment cleaning for a term of two (2) years, not to exceed $2,400,000.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Firefighting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the primary safety barrier between operational personnel and the extreme hazards encountered during fire suppression, rescue operations, hazardous materials response, and emergency medical incidents. Modern PPE is engineered to protect firefighters from thermal exposure, carcinogens, physical injury, and environmental conditions while enabling mobility and operational effectiveness. Ensuring that PPE is compliant, well-maintained, and replaced on schedule is a core occupational safety responsibility for the City.
The Fire Department is requesting approval for a two-year contract as a temporary, stop-gap solution to ensure continuity of turnout gear replacement while the PPE Committee evaluates new PFAS-free turnout options expected to enter the market in early Spring 2026. Recent state legislation will require the Department to purchase PFAS-free turnouts, and manufacturers are only now beginning to finalize their compliant models. Entering into a long-term contract before these new products are released would prevent the Department from conducting a complete wear trial and making an informed, safety-driven procurement decision.
Approval of this Cooperative Purchase Agreement will allow the Fire Department to continue providing the most compliant equipment available. The PPE will be purchased through a competitively solicited cooperative procurement process administered by Sourcewell (a State of Minnesota local government agency).
BACKGROUND
Turnouts are the most essential part of firefighters PPE. It is the equipment that separates and protects firefighters from heat, smoke, and flame. Turnouts must provide firefighters with heat protection as well as mobility and ventilation for rescue situations. Per NFPA, certified turnout gear consists of three layers of materials, together called a composite, which is made up of an outer shell, a moisture barrier, and a thermal liner.
Recent state legislation will require the Department to purchase PFAS-free turnouts, and manufacturers are only now beginning to finalize their compliant models. To prepare for the upcoming transition, the Department reached out to every turnout manufacturer and requested that they present their new and upcoming gear, including products planned for release in 2026, as well as information required for the state-mandated quality assessment. Most manufacturers indicated that their next-generation PFAS-free gear will be introduced in Spring 2026, reinforcing the need for a short-term contract that allows the Department to wait for these models before committing to a long-term procurement strategy.
Several companies responded and provided in-person presentations to the Department. These presentations allowed the PPE Committee to review material innovations, construction changes, and PFAS-free design strategies that will shape the 2026 product lines. However, because most manufacturers are still finalizing their PFAS-free composites and turnout configurations, a full evaluation cannot occur until the new gear is officially released.
Each of the Fire Department's 375 firefighters has two sets of turnouts. Turnouts typically have a 10-year lifespan, depending on wear and tear (Cal OSHA and NFPA recommend that turnouts be replaced after 10 years at most). Although manufacturers advertise a 10-year service life, internal Department data shows that our turnouts are experiencing material failure at 7-8 years, well before the recommended maximum lifespan. This accelerated wear pattern highlights the need to thoroughly evaluate the durability and performance of the next generation of PFAS-free gear. As part of this process, the PPE Committee intends to gather real-world failure-rate data from surrounding departments already using PFAS-free turnouts to better understand longevity, material breakdown, and operational performance.
A short-term, two-year contract will allow the Department to continue replacing aging gear immediately while giving the PPE Committee the necessary time to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the new PFAS-free turnout options as they enter the market. This approach ensures operational readiness, compliance with emerging state requirements, and responsible long-term planning based on complete and accurate performance data.
Utilizing the cooperative agreement was determined to be the most cost-effective method and overall best value for obtaining firefighting PPE. The Purchasing Division has approved this contract and recommends Council to approve.
The City Attorney has reviewed and approved.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This item is not a project pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act guidelines Section 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented as the City is using a cooperative purchase agreement to purchase these products.
FISCAL IMPACT
The FY 2027 budget includes $1,196,900 in the general fund for personal protective equipment and related equipment cleaning.
For FY 2028, the department will ensure adequate funding is in the base or requested through the budget build process.
Attachment:
Cooperative Purchase Agreement
L.N. Curtis & Sons Contract# 010424-LNC
Original RFP
Proof of Publication
Proposal Opening Record
Proposal Evaluation
Comment & Review
Board Resolutions