City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date:  May 16, 2006

Item No.:        

Recommendation:  That the Common Council approve the low bid from Occupational Health Dynamics (OHD) for the purchase of the Self Contained Breathing Facepiece Respirator Fit Testing Kit in the amount of $7,395. The other bid was from TSI-instruments (Thermo-Systems Inc) for $7,700.

Background:  The Fire Department currently uses tubes and a plastic bag over a persons head to conduct facepiece fit testing.  Although this practice is acceptable, personnel can alter test results without any verification. Currently the department certifies 76 facepieces of three different styles.  52 facepieces are the Ultra Elite style mainly used in firefighting and other toxic atmospheres.  18 facepieces are part of the millennium CBRN kit (Chemical, Biological, Radioactive and Nuclear environment) used in Weapons of Mass Destruction and other HAZMAT incidents.  The other 6 facepieces are the MSA (Mine Safety Appliances) Ultravue facepieces used in Anthrax situations. The device we are requesting to purchase is an OSHA-compliant quantitative fit test required to ensure proper fit for all of our facepieces and proper verification.

The OHD (Occupational Health Dynamics) Fit Tester 3000 is a revolutionary new system that's been accepted by OSHA (Occupational Safety Health Administration) for use in all types of quantitative fit test programs. With a patented fit testing technique known as controlled negative pressure, OHD Fit Tester 3000 offers test results that are more reliable than those obtained with any other method of fit testing currently available, including qualitative methods and particle counting devices.

Fiscal Impact:  The total cost of the project is $7,395 and will come from the Fire Department 2006 Capital Equipment Project #06009.

Prepared by: Thomas Rosandich Assistant Fire Chief	Respectfully submitted, Patrick DeGrave City Administrator
Approved by: Brian M. Satula Fire Chief	Fiscal Review by: Beverly A. Buretta, CMC City Clerk