HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - May 16, 2001 E-03CITY OF LODI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
AGENDA TITLE: Approve specifications and authorization for bids for Thermal Imaging Camera
MEETING DATE: May 16, 2001
PREPARED BY: Michael Pretz, Fire Chief
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That City Council approve the specifications for the above unit and
authorize advertising for bids.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Funds for purchasing a thermal imaging camera are available
in the 2000 — 2001 operating budget. Purchase will be made following an advertisement for bids period.
Improvements in technology have created the ability for infrared thermal imaging to assist with firefighter
operations. This piece of equipment will assist firefighter during rescue operations while performing
interior offensive fire attacks. The camera allows firefighters to see through dense smoke thus cutting
valuable time to locate fire victims and finding the seat of the fire. The timesavings will quickly pay for
itself through the reduction of fire damage and injury to fire victims. The camera can be utilized for
overhaul of hidden fires, hazardous materials situations, search and rescue and electrical emergencies. The
thermal imaging camera provides invaluable safety to firefighter and potential major life saving to the
citizens of Lodi. The cost is estimated to be $27,000. in addition to the initial warranty, an
on going maintenance contract will cost an estimated $1,200 annually.
MP/lh
Funding Available:
Current Operating Budget Vicki McActie
Finance Director
Michael Pretz
Fire Chief
APPROVED: f<,
H. Dixon Flynn 4 City Manager
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February 24, 2001
Five new Lodi firefighters battle nerves, burning home
By Jennifer Pearson Bonnett/News-Sentinel staff
writer
The nervousness zips through the air like electricity.
In one area stood the five fire recruits; in another the
veterans of the Lodi Fire Department.
The new firefighters were hired Jan. 15. Three hail
from surrounding fire districts while two are former
volunteers. Four have experience handling the real
thing, one is about to get his baptism by fire.
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One by one, the two groups began to suit up — the
turnouts, the jacket, the oxygen tank, the hood, the
face mask, the gloves and then the helmet. It didn't
matter that none of the recruits' names matched the
ones printed on the fire garb.
Adrenaline seemed to fill the air.
Slowly the groups melded, ready to do the job they
came to do — together.
It's day No. 2 of the hands-on training for the
department's fire academy. A donated house was set
ablaze in five different places, only to be squelched
with water — slowly — to get the most experience
fighting it.
As the rooms caught on fire one by one, the recruits
moved toward the flames with hoses in hand and
black smoke began to billow from the wooden
window frames.
Finally, when the structure was fully engulfed in
flames, the air was filled with the excitement of the
moment.
No wonder, on Friday the department's latest recruits
were finishing their sixth week of training and,
therefore, moved one step closer to becoming full -
fledge firefighters.
The department's academy, led by Battalion Chief
George Juelch, is a requirement for all new
employees.
Each undergoes eight weeks of testing and training
which includes search and rescue, automobile
extrication and hands-on fire fighting.
The classes also teach the trainees about how fires
burn and how to find their ways through a smoke-
filled building.
Friday's session was made possible by South Bay
Foundry which donated the house at 42 N. Cluff Drive
and its detached garage, used in Thursday's training.
"It's a great benefit for the company, but even better
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for us," Fire Capt. Jeff Larson said. "This is
invaluable experience for the new recruits."
Brad Doell, a six-year veteran from the Mokelumne
Fire District and one of the Lodi recruits, remained
visibly excited during most of the training Friday.
"It's scary every time you go in there, but at times like
this you revert to how you were trained and it's like
second nature," he said. "And, it's still fun."
Rookie Eduardo Ibarra was just as excited. Greener
than his fellow recruits, he served as a volunteer for
the Oakland Fire Department for six months before
being hired by Lodi.
Although he had never fought a real fire until Friday,
Ibarra said the experience was excellent, but the
anticipation literally kept him up all night.
"I couldn't sleep, just thinking about it. You get an
adrenaline rush just getting in there," he said.
Ibarra, the only recruit without previous experience,
said this was the job he wanted to do since age 15.
He was living in Mexico City during the 1985
earthquake and at that time decided he wanted to help
save people.
Other recruits include Mike Gold of Petaluma, and
locals Shane Langone and Mike Woznick. The latter
two served with the Woodbridge Fire Department for
10 years.
Gold worked for the California Department of
Forestry for one season and served as a volunteer for
both the Sonoma and Marin county departments,
Juelch said.
All five are certified Emergency Medical Technicians
with defibrillator experience, he said.
On March 9, they will undergo a small graduation
ceremony before being presented their badges,
personal equipment and new jackets with their names
on the back.
[This week's two-day training burn also served another
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Page 4 of 5
purpose: On Thursday and Friday, firefighters had the
chance to test out for themselves new__th� e_rmal imaging
cameras courtesy of the manufacturer.
The cameras, which can see through smoke, are used
to find fire victims and locate the source of the flames.
The department does not currently own one of the
$20,000 cameras.
Juelch said the fire academy training is possible due to
off-duty personnel being willing to work. Overtime
employees covered the districts while several on -scene
trucks could respond if needed.
About 25 firefighters participated in the burn.
The training is also made possible by community
donations.
The house aside, Payless Lumber donated sheets of
plywood for Thursday's training fire while J&D Auto
Body allowed the group to use its cars and facilities
for an auto extrication exercise the five trainees
underwent earlier this month.
"This is a real good group of guys," Juelch said.
Ibarra had similar sentiments.
"I'm the greenest of all of the recruits, but that's the
best thing because it makes me work even harder," he
said. "This is the best job there is."
As the building finally turned to ashes, the air was
filled with relief.
No one was hurt and everyone learned.
And five new Lodi firefighters have passed their latest
test.
Comments about this story? Send mail to the News -
Sentinel newsroom.
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