TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: J.C. Greenberg, Deputy County Fire Chief
REPORT BY: Stacie McCambridge, Supervisor I
SUBJECT: NORCAL PPE Services Agreement No. 270230B to Inspect, Clean and Track Napa County Issued Personal Protective Equipment Garments
RECOMMENDATION
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Approve and authorize Agreement No. 270230B with NORCAL PPE for the term from September 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029 for a maximum compensation of $275,000 to provide services to inspect, clean and track the County Personal Protective Equipment garments issued to the Napa County Volunteer Fire Fighters. (Fiscal Impact: $275,000; Fire Fund; Budgeted, Discretionary)
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BACKGROUND
The State of California currently has standards for the selection, care and maintenance of protective ensembles for Structural and Wildland Fire fighting. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1851, is to ensure that firefighting protective ensembles are maintained to the highest safety standards, reducing the risk of injury or death during firefighting operations. It aligns California’s fire protection standards with nationally recognized NFPA guidelines, with specific recordkeeping and retirement timelines to ensure equipment remains safe and effective.
In October of 2022, changes to California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Article 10.1 Safety Orders for firefighters’ personal protective clothing and equipment (PPE) set new requirement for recordkeeping as it relates to PPE. To meet the regulatory requirements and ensure effective recordkeeping, the tracking system that was identified by CAL FIRE to meet all regulatory requirements is “PPE Software.” Since CAL FIRE and Napa County Fire are cooperative fire departments, Napa County Fire has chosen to use PPE Software as well.
Structural Firefighting Protective Ensemble (SFPE) must follow the new regulations of NPFA 1971. All PPE must go through an Independent Service Provider (ISP) to receive a required annual advanced inspection, cleaning, and any repair work needed. This process requires certification beyond what County Fire can render.
NORCAL PPE was selected to provide professional annual protective inspection services due to only two vendors currently in the state complying with the NFPA 1851 standard. NORCAL PPE uses “PPE Software” and has direct connection to the software, which enables them to upload results in real-time. The county is then able to see what is being repaired or what needs to be replaced. As a result of the significant shipping cost associated with the other vendors’ location. NORCAL PPE represents a feasible and cost-effective option with their location being a short driving distance for delivery and pick up. NORCAL PPE is also partnered with Western Supply, in which we order turnout gear from. By utilizing this vendor, the County can have full tracking of the start-to-finish date of the purchased PPE.
Requested Action:
Approve and authorize Agreement No. 270230B with NORCAL PPE Services for the term from September 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029 for a maximum compensation of $275,000 to provide services to inspect, clean and track the County Personal Protective Equipment garments issued to the Napa County Volunteer Fire Fighters.
FISCAL IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
Fire Budget (2100) |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
It aligns California’s fire protection standards with nationally recognized NFPA guidelines, with specific recordkeeping and retirement timelines to ensure equipment remains safe and effective. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Staff will budget each fiscal year. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
Allows County Fire to stay in compliance with State mandated regulations set forth to ensure that firefighting protective ensembles are maintained to the highest safety standards, reducing the risk of injury or death during firefighting operations. |
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Additional Information |
County Strategic Initiative: Elevate County Service and Workforce Excellence. |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061 (b)(2), 15061 (b)(3), 15304,15307, 15308, and 15378.