TOWNSHIP OF LOWER MERION. Fire Committee. Issue Briefing. Topic: Approve replacement of the Gladwyne Fire Company marine unit in 2016.

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1 TOWNSHIP OF LOWER MERION Fire Committee Issue Briefing Topic: Approve replacement of the Gladwyne Fire Company marine unit in Prepared By: Charles J. McGarvey, Sr., Chief Fire Officer / Fire Marshal Date: May 04, 2016 I. Action To Be Considered By The Board: To approve replacement of the Gladwyne Fire Company marine unit in 2016 instead of 2023 as designated in the Apparatus Policy and to authorize the Gladwyne Fire Company to retain the proceeds from the sale of the current marine unit to be applied to the replacement purchase. II. III. IV. Why This Issue Requires Board Consideration: This is a deviation from the current Apparatus Policy. Current Policy Or Practice (If Applicable): The current policy reflects the replacement of the 2008 marine unit with a new marine unit in 2023 and requires that any proceeds from the sale of apparatus be returned to the Township. Other Relevant Background Information: Over the past five years the Gladwyne Fire Company has focused their training in all of the technical water rescue disciplines. They have identified a need for more swift water rescues than the slow moving water rescues that the original boat serviced. The new marine unit will be able to accomplish both types of water rescue. In addition the Gladwyne Fire Company believes that with the additional maintenance costs they are experiencing the current marine unit should be sold now. The Fire Company has identified a fire company interested in purchasing the current marine unit. The Gladwyne Fire Company is requesting to purchase a 2016 Zodiac Inflatable Rescue Boat at a cost of $9,236. They are also requesting to purchase a motor and trailer at a cost of $7,761 for a total cost of $16,997. Please see the attached memo provided by the Gladwyne Fire Company regarding the justification for purchasing this apparatus now as opposed to waiting until V. Impact On Township Finances: There is potential savings from replacing the marine unit at an earlier date. Additional savings are realized from the purchase of a smaller marine unit. The Gladwyne Fire Company will provide any difference between the proceeds of the sale and the cost of the new marine unit.

2 Exhibit A Page 1 of 2 VI. Staff Recommendation: That the Board of Commissioners approve the Gladwyne Fire Company requested deviation from the Apparatus Replacement Policy to replace their 2008 marine unit in 2016 and approve use of sale proceeds for this purpose.

3 Committee: Fire Date: May 04, 2015 Prepared By: Chas J. McGarvey, Sr. ITEM ITEM DESCRIPTION STATUS COMMITTEE STATUS REPORT DATE COMPLETED 10/15/15 Consider for recommendation to the Board, the approval to enter into a Mutual Aid Agreement between the Township of Lower Merion and the Borough of West Conshohocken for fire services Board authorized the approval entering into a Mutual Aid Agreement between the Township of Lower Merion and the Borough of West Conshohocken for fire services. 10/15/15

4 1044 BLACK ROCK ROAD, P.O. BOX 11 GLADWYNE, PENNSYLVANIA March 22, 2016 Charles J. McGarvey, Chief Fire Officer Lower Merion Fire Department 75 E. Lancaster Avenue Ardmore, Pa Dear Chas, Kindly accept this correspondence as an official request for permission to sell our 2006 Zumro inflatable boat and commit the proceeds of the sale to offset the cost of a new boat. This request is to provide our company with a more versatile rescue boat. The Zumro boat was purchased almost 10 years ago by Lower Merion Township and at the time the focus of our water rescue mission was in slow moving water on the Schuylkill river, which made this boat perfect for the majority of our missions. As you know change is a constant in the fire service, and change has redefined our water rescue missions. In recent years we have had the experience of several 100 year storms that occur far too frequently. As a result of these tremendous storms we found ourselves performing more rescues in swift water conditions (fast moving water) that requires a much different style rescue boat. Gladwyne Fire Company currently operates four water rescue boats, all serving a specific purpose depending on what type of water rescue incident. Our two newest boats, Zodiac Grand Raid inflatable boats, were purchased in 2012 with our relief fund allotment. Gladwyne added these boats as a result of our recent water rescue incidents when we were confronted with a large amount of swift water rescues (roadways). These boats are extremely versatile for the various missions we face currently and are deployed first out on all water rescue calls. We maintain and use the above mentioned Zumro boat, which is used as a working platform for rescues in the river (slow moving water). Lastly, we have a small inflatable boat that we utilize in flooded intersections (slow moving water) and below the Flat Rock Dam when we are required to tie a boat off on a line systems style rescue. This boat is small and lightweight with the ability to remove the engine, which allows us to hand carry the boat below the dam. Over the past 5 years our firefighters have been dedicated to training in all of the highly technical water rescue disciplines. These disciplines include swift water rescue technicians, boat operations, ice rescue technician and line systems. As we have made our commitment to the training we have also procured the appropriate equipment for our Swift Water Rescue Team. In 2014 we were notified that our training discipline and equipment procurement paid a tremendous dividend to the fire company, Township and community we serve by being designated as a Type II Swift Water Rescue

5 Team for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This designation is reserved for only those teams that have met stringent training guidelines along with the appropriate equipment cadre. Gladwyne Fire Company, to date, is the only Montgomery County Unit with this very prestigious and highly technical designation. The next closest unit in the Delaware Valley is the Fame Fire Company of West Chester in Chester County. In total, there are 9 Type II Swift water rescue teams (2015 data) designated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Below are a few pictures below to help illustrate the various applications for our boats. Boat 24-3 below dam on a line system Boat 24-1 Swift water Rescue below dam Boats 24-1 and 24-2 Slow Moving Water Boat 24 Slow moving water Currently we are in need of replacing our small portable boat (Boat 24-3) due to its age and increased maintenance issues. We feel that now is an appropriate time to reduce our fleet from four boats down to three. We would accomplish this by selling Boat 24 and Boat 24-3 and replacing them with one smaller version of our swift water boats that is easy to move around and can accomplish the missions below the dam (by being able to carry the boat below the dam) and in flooded intersections. We are respectfully requesting that we are permitted to sell Boat 24 and utilize the proceeds of the sale to facilitate the purchase of the new boat, motor and trailer. The cost of the new boat and ancillary equipment is as follows: 2016 Zodiac Inflatable Rescue Boat $9, Motor / Trailer $7, Total Project Cost: $16,997.00

6 Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time should you have any questions regarding this request. We feel that this is a prudent plan and will allow us to reduce our fleet without any impact to our swift water rescue capabilities. Sincerely, Blaine W Leis Blaine W Leis, Chief Gladwyne Fire Company cc: Ernie McNeely, Township Manager Frank Hand, Acting Fire Chief