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Report regarding a resolution authorizing the Fire Department to participate in Cal Water’s Water Conservation Rebate Program accepting funding in the amount of $127,722.31 to purchase a Pump Pod Direct Recirculating Apparatus Firefighting Training Sustainability Unit; approving Budget Amendment Number 26.024 to the Fire Department’s fiscal year 2025-26 operating budget in an amount not to exceed $127,722.31; and authorizing the City Manager to execute the purchase agreement on behalf of the City of South San Francisco with Pump Pod in an amount not to exceed $127,722.31 (Devin Flannery, Deputy Fire Chief)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the Fire Department to participate in Cal Water’s Water Conservation Rebate Program accepting funding in an amount of $127,722.31 to purchase a Pump Pod Direct Recirculating Apparatus Firefighting Training Sustainability Unit; approving Budget Amendment Number 26.024 to the Fire Department’s fiscal year 2025-26 operating budget in an amount not to exceed $127,722.31; and authorizing the City Manager to execute the purchase agreement on behalf of the City of South San Francisco with Pump Pod in an amount not to exceed $127,722.31.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
To support operational readiness, the Fire Department conducts regular recurring training activities to prepare fire suppression personnel for a variety of emergency scenarios. A key component of this training involves simulated firefighting, utilizing the Department’s training tower and training grounds. As part of the simulated firefighting, Department personnel utilize the municipal water system to practice flowing various quantities of water. This type and amount of training is consistent, occurring year-round, and is expected when the Department trains new members, maintains proficiency with current staff, and prepares personnel for promotional opportunities. Fire suppression training occurs multiple times each week and has an estimated annual water use of four million gallons. With new training requirements regularly placed on the Department, we expect this amount of water use to increase as the Department prepares its personnel to address emerging hazards such as fires involving lithium-ion batteries. Understanding the impacts of using this quantity of water on an annual basis, and to meet the City’s sustainability goal of decreasing the Department’s impact on the water system, the Department in conjunction with Cal Water is recommending the purchase of a Pump Pod Direct Recirculating Apparatus Firefighting Training Sustainability (D.R.A.F.T.S.) Unit.
To reduce water demand during training, Fire Department staff conducted research on water flow reduction techniques during firefighting training, contacted other fire departments, and conducted online research of similar products. After concluding this research, the solution found to be most cost effective, while still allowing the Department to achieve training mandates was the D.R.A.F.T.S. Unit. The D.R.A.F.T.S. Unit is a training system that employs recycled water versus using hydrant water that goes down the storm drain for each evolution. The system uses a catchment trailer where either a firefighter or an apparatus pump directs the water flow into a recycling chamber. The water is continually recycled, reused, and stored after each training, saving the City millions of gallons of water a year.
This system is also drought resistant as it will ensure the Department complies in the event water restrictions are imposed, while still allowing us to meet our annual training mandates and needs. The unit will also enhance firefighter safety and improve training efficiency as fewer personnel are required to support large scale exercises. We expect the ability to conduct these large-scale exercises utilizing half of the required current personnel, as the D.R.A.F.T.S. Unit provides functionality that reduces the number of personnel currently required to achieve the same training outcome. Additional benefits of the D.R.A.F.T.S. Unit include the following:
• Flexible self-contained unit allows for fixed, firefighter held, or master streams from deck guns or ladder pipes and can be utilized in conjunction with below ground pits for correct drafting operations.
• Can simulate drafting or various pressurized water sources.
• Boosts the amount of water flow training we can responsibly conduct.
• The mobile system can be towed anywhere. The D.R.A.F.T.S. Unit can be utilized at individual stations to reduce apparatus mileage.
• Re-circulates the water required for most of our training evolutions as well as future water conservation and compliance mandates. Each D.R.A.F.T.S. Unit will allow up to 1,700 gallons per minute to be pumped continually. Upon conducting comprehensive water use calculations, we found that the Department expends up to 4,382,500 gallons of water annually.
Currently, fire departments throughout the State of California are looking to acquire this type of equipment to minimize water use while maintaining training requirements. Most of the purchases of this type of equipment are made by a partnership with a fire department’s local water purveyor. Locally, Cal Water partnered with the Menlo Park Fire Protection District to provide their department with the same type of equipment. The Menlo Fire Protection District unit has been in service for over five years, greatly reducing the water demand realized during their training activities. Their unit is the closest one to South San Francisco but is not readily available as it is mostly utilized in the southern part of the county. For awareness, the photo below includes the Menlo Park unit.
To identify a solution for South San Francisco that reduces water use and still allows the Department to maintain minimum training mandates, Department staff worked closely with Cal Water’s water conservation team. Currently, Cal Waters’ conservation program provides full funding, through an internal rebate program, specifically for the Pump Pod D.R.A.F.T.S. Unit. While there may be other vendors providing similar types of equipment, Cal Water has vetted and selected this vendor as the only eligible product for their rebate program. To participate in the rebate program and receive funding to cover the complete cost of the unit, participating fire departments must purchase this specific product. This is stated in the Department’s award letter from Cal Water, which is included as Attachment 1. As part of the equipment package, the rebate program includes accessories, such as movable fire hydrants, to further enhance Department training.
To acquire the equipment, the City will contract directly with Pump Pod as specified in Cal Water’s rebate program requirements. As part of the purchasing process, the City is required to fully fund the cost of the unit at a price of $127,722.31. Upon delivery, the City will then receive reimbursement from Cal Water for the total purchase price.
FISCAL IMPACT
Participation in Cal Water’s conservation rebate program requires the City to contract with Pump Pod and fully fund the unit in the amount of $127,722.31. This payment is required in two amounts: 50 percent of the purchase price at execution of contract, and the remaining 50 percent upon delivery. Once the unit is delivered, Cal Water will fully refund the City for the total cost of the project.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC PLAN
This request is aligned with the City’s Climate Action Plan, which includes increasing waste diversion, reducing energy and water use, and increasing resiliency across multiple sectors.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the Fire Department to participate in Cal Water’s Water Conservation Rebate Program accepting funding in an amount of $127,722.31 to purchase a D.R.A.F.T.S. Unit; approving Budget Amendment Number 26.024 to the Fire Department fiscal year 2025-26 operating budget in an amount not to exceed $127,722.31; and authorizing the City Manager to execute the purchase agreement on behalf of the City of South San Francisco with Pump Pod in an amount not to exceed $127,722.31.