I. RECOMMENDATION:
Chief Gabriel recommends approving the purchase of a new 100 KW Emergency Generator for the fire station.
II. BACKGROUND:
The current generator is a 15 KW generator purchased in 1995. This generator only provides power to a couple of lights and outlets in each room, and to the outlets in the communications room. We had numerous problems with this generator last fall, which required numerous service calls and the generator being out of service for about 2 ½ months. The service company indicated they were having difficulty finding parts to repair the generator because the generator was “obsolete.”
III. DISCUSSION:
When the fire station was built in 1985, it was equipped with an emergency generator (10 KW) from the old station that powered a few lights and outlets in each room. This was accomplished by all of these emergency circuits running to one electrical panel that the generator provided power to. This original generator was replaced with a 15 KW generator in 1995, that powered the same electrical panel.
Besides the current generator being out of service for an extended period for repairs last fall, we are also faced with a new threat. When Pacific Gas and Electric started the policy of Public Safety Power Shutoffs during high fire danger periods, we are now faced with the possibility of the town loosing power for multiple days at a time. Because the current generator does not power air conditioning or kitchen equipment, this could present a health and safety issue for our employees, as well and making the station nonfunctional for 24-hour shifts.
One of issues we have faced with the conversion of the training room to the Emergency Operations Center is lack of emergency power. The training room was originally designed as a barracks, so only two of the lights and one outlet was connected to the emergency generator. The new generator would eliminate the need for rewiring the room, since all outlets in the station would have emergency power available, and it will provide air conditioning for the entire fire station.
Vendors for the three major brands of generators were contacted to get bids. The vendors for Cummins and Generac both replied they did not have a generator of the capacity we need that would fit in the space we need it to fit in.
We are asking approval to purchase the generator and transfer switch under the current budget because we have sufficient money to make the purchase. The project to replace the generator will require an electrical engineer to design the connection and hiring an electrician to do the work. This would be accomplished next fiscal year and can be accomplished within the budget that has been approved.
IV. ALTERNATIVES:
- Not replace the generator and try to function within the limitations and reliability of the current generator.
V. FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost of purchasing this equipment is $46,311, and there is money in the 2019-20 budget to cover the purchase. |