2001-24363 RESO
RESOLUTION NO. 2001-24363
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROPRIATING FUNDS, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $38,000, FROM THE $92 MILLION GENERAL OBLIGATION
BOND SERIES 2000 FUND NO. 378; AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A
PURCHASE ORDER TO SAFETY EQUIPMENT, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$38,000, PURSUANT TO CITY OF HOLLYWOOD, BID NO. 3486, FOR THE
PURCHASE OF TWO (2) EAGLE IMAGER II MICROBOLOMETER
THERMAL IMAGING CAMERAS.
WHEREAS, thermal imaging cameras have been used by fire departments
across the United States to greatly increase the speed and ability to locate victims of
building fires by allowing fire fighters to "see through" smoke and to identifY "hot
spots" more rapidly; and
WHEREAS, these cameras will allow for a decrease in the time to conduct
search and rescue, decrease property damage loss, and greatly increase the safety of
the firefighters; and
WHEREAS, for the past year, Captain C. Parrino, has conducted research in
order to purchase thermal imaging cameras for the City's Fire Department; the
research consisted of the following:
. Literature provided by thermal imaging camera manufacturer
. Presentations given by representatives of the different companies
. Comparisons between the different detector types (microbolometer and
ferroelectric)
. Comprehensive field studies by other large fire departments
. Performance test of six (6) different thermal imagers under fire, heat, and smoke
conditions, in the Miami-Dade Fire Academy Bum Building; and
WHEREAS, the performance of the Scott camera was found to be far superior
to other cameras; and
WHEREAS, the City of Hollywood Bid Number 3486 was awarded as a
result of a competitive process to the lowest and best bidder, Safety Equipment, and the
Administration would herein recommend that the Mayor and City Commission herein
accordingly authorize the Administration to purchase the aforestated thermal imaging
cameras from said bid, finding such purchase to be in the best interest of the City.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and
City Commission herein appropriate funds, in the amount of $38,000, from the $92
Million General Obligation Bond Series 2000 Fund No. 378, and authorize the issuance of
a Purchase Order to Safety Equipment, in the Amount of $38,000, Pursuant to City of
Hollywood, Bid No. 3486, for the Purchase of Two (2) Eagle Imager II Microbolometer
Thermal Imaging Camera.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 16th dayof May ,2001.
ATTEST:
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MAYOR
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CITY CLERK
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CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139
http:\\cLmiami-beach.f1.us
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COMMISSION MEMORANDUM NO.
J.8)'-o I
TO:
Mayor Neisen O. Kasdin and
Members of the City Commission
Jorge M. Gonzalez \_ l~'
City Manager uV"" ~
A Resolution of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach,
Florida, Appropriating Funds in the Amount of $38,000, from the $92 million
General Obligation Bonds Series 2000 Fund No. 378; Authorizing the Issuance
of a Purchase Order to Safety Equipment, in the amount of $38,000, Pursuant
to City of Hollywood, Bid No. 3486, for the Purchase of Two (2) Eagle Imager
II Microbolometer Thermal Imaging Camera.
DATE: May 16,2001
FROM:
SUBJECT:
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the Resolution.
BID AMOUNT AND FUNDING
$38,000 General Obligation Bond Account Number 378.2271.000674
ANALYSIS
Thermal imaging cameras have been used by fire departments across the United States to greatly
increase the speed and ability to locate victims of building fires by allowing fire fighters to see
"through" smoke and to identifY "hot spots" more rapidly. These cameras will allow for a decrease
in the time to conduct search and rescue, decreases property damage loss and greatly increases the
safety of the firefighters.
For the past year, the City has conducted research in order to purchase thermal imaging cameras for
the fire department. The research consisted of the following:
. Literature provided by Thermal Imaging Camera manufacturer
. Presentations given by representatives of the different companies
. Comparisons between the different detector types (microbolometer and ferroelectric)
. Comprehensive field studies by other large fire departments
. Performance test of six (6) different thermal imagers under fire, heat, and smoke
conditions, in the Miami-Dade Fire Academy Bum Building.
FUND
AGENDA ITEM C 7 a
DATE s-A; -Of
Commission Memo
Purchase of Eagle Image II Cameras
Page Two
May 16, 2001
This purchase is for two Eagle Imager II Microbolometer Thermal Imaging Cameras manufactured
by Scott, model number EI2000000.
The performance of the Scott camera was found to be far superior to other cameras, and it also bad
the following numerous features that other cameras did not have:
. 6 position handle - allows the camera to be held long periods comfortably. The other cameras
had a single position handle.
. Strapping to accommodate both left and right hands. The other cameras had right hand
attachments only. We have numerous left-handed firefighters.
. Crawling posts - the other cameras relied solely upon a strap to carry (Scott also bad a strap).
Scott was the only one with metalic post on both sides so the camera could be held and used as
support while maneuvering in a fire. This makes it much easier to use and reduces getting the
strapping and the firefighter entangled.
. Scott utilizes an internal video transmitter while the others have externally mounted video units.
Internal mounting keeps the electronics better protected and also won't allow the unit to become
dislodged (one of the video transmitters actually came off inside the bum trailer during our
testing - in a real fire, this unit probably would have been permanently lost).
. Radio frequency interference - The Scott camera performed much better against radio
interference. One of our test units (not Scott) cut out altogether when our radio was keyed.
. Scott features an external screen which proved to be very useful. It was superior to units that use
a monocular screen (you must peer down-thru the camera to see the picture). The Scott picture
can be easily seen while holding the camera and can also be viewed by more than one person
during operations.
. Scott utilizes a 3 position tilt screen which we found much easier and practical to use. As
mentioned above, the others can only be viewed by one person in one position.
. Scott offers the ability to charge the unit inside the case. This is a very practical feature that
ensures that the unit will always be fully charged and ready for use. Scott has in camera charging
in addition to remote charging capability. Using this along with the extra battery included means
that the camera will always have charged battery power. (battery life was the longest of all
cameras tested)
. The Scott products we have worked with in the department have always been reliable, durable
and easy to use. We have always received excellent service from Scott.
I recommend that the City Commission authorize the issuance of a purchase order to Safety
Equipment compan%;in the amount of $38,000, pursuant to City of Hollywood Bid. No.3486.
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