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 procu...
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