Menlo Park Fire Protection District

 

Personal Protective Equipment

 

Program Overview

The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) program’s purpose is to support all product research, purchasing, distributing, testing, and maintaining of all personal protective equipment of safety personnel for structural firefighting, wildland firefighting, EMS operation, technical rescue, and fire investigation. 

Management Oversight

The PPE program is directed by the Division Chief of Operations with oversight authority delegated to the Battalion Chiefs and program coordinator. This program does not have any full-time equivalent employees. This program contains the general expenditures pertaining to firefighting personal protective equipment, maintenance and repair services, and overtime for training and program administration.

Program Objectives

  • Research and procure personal protective equipment (PPE) for safety personnel, ensuring the latest and most effective gear is selected based on safety standards and operational needs.
  • Maintain optimal inventory levels of PPE to ensure all safety personnel are adequately equipped and that replacements or upgrades are readily available when needed.
  • Fully implement Asset Management software to enhance the tracking of PPE and equipment, ensuring compliance with NFPA 1851 standards for the care, maintenance, and replacement of protective gear. This includes utilizing a vendor portal for streamlined management and reporting.

FY 2024-25 Accomplishments

  • Researched, selected, and acquired appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to meet the operational needs of safety personnel.

  • Maintained accurate inventory levels of PPE to ensure availability, readiness, and operational continuity.

  • Successfully completed the full implementation of Asset Management software, improving equipment tracking and ensuring compliance with NFPA 1851 through integration with the vendor portal.

FY 2025-26 Program Initiatives

  • Replace structural firefighting turnouts that are nearing the end of their service life to maintain safety and compliance.

  • Replace raincoats across all apparatus and stations to ensure consistent weather protection for personnel.

  • Acquire rescue straps for all line personnel to enhance operational readiness and safety during rescues.

  • Procure two sets of eye protection for each operations staff member to support compliance with safety standards and improve on-scene protection.

Program Expenditure Summary

Expenditure Analysis

Materials and supplies: This request includes funding for protective equipment, uniforms, general supplies, and materials necessary for daily operations. A decrease of $55,111 is projected due to a reduction in purchase requests for supplies and equipment needed to outfit new personnel in the upcoming fiscal year. This reduction is attributed to fewer new hires expected and more efficient management of existing inventory, leading to lower costs for outfitting and equipping staff.