DATE: 11/05/2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Fire Department
2025-430
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBJECT:
AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF A LIVE FIRE TRAINING PROP FROM ADVANCED
FIRE CONTROL
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This report seeks City Council authorization to approve the purchase of a live fire training prop from Advanced Fire Control in the amount of $381,744. The new prop will replace the existing live fire training unit, which has reached the end of its useful life due to age and operational wear.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council:
a. Award the Notice Inviting Bids 26-010SB to Advanced Fire Control, the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, for the total bid amount of $381,744, and waive any and all minor irregularities in the bidding documents as submitted by said bidder.
b. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to issue a purchase order to Advanced Fire Control in the amount of $381,744, including any non-substantive extensions, change orders, purchase orders, and amendments up to the amount authorized by Corona Municipal Code 3.08.080(J), which is equivalent to 10% or $38,174.
BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
The City of Corona Fire Department provides a high level of service to the community while prioritizing firefighter safety. Structural firefighting is inherently dynamic and highrisk, requiring continual, realistic training to ensure personnel maintain proficiency and operate safely. The Fire Department is committed to providing all personnel with the necessary training to uphold a high standard of competence and professionalism, which is essential for public safety and effective emergency response.
In fiscal year 2025, the Fire Department logged over 32,000 training hours. A significant portion of this training includes live fire exercises conducted in a training structure constructed from fabricated shipping containers, commonly referred to as conex boxes.
The current live fire training structure has been in service for more than ten years and has reached the end of its useful life due to age and wear, limiting its effectiveness and increasing maintenance needs. Replacing the structure is necessary to continue providing safe, realistic, and effective live fire training for all firefighters, from new recruits to experienced personnel.
ANALYSIS:
The live fire training prop was posted for bid on September 16, 2025, pursuant to Corona Municipal Code section 3.08.110 Non-public projects – formal bidding procedure through the City’s PlanetBids bidding portal. A total of 300 PlanetBids network vendors were notified, and 14 City of Corona vendors were notified. Bids were due on October 20, 2025, at 5:00 PM. Three (3) bids were received through the PlanetBids bidding service.
No. Vendor Location Bid Amount
1 Advanced Fire Control Canyon Lake, CA $381,743.97
2 United Engineering & Construction Inc. Glendale, CA $404,020.00 3 L.N. Curtis & Sons Walnut Creek, CA $452,524.00
City staff have reviewed all bids and recommend awarding the contract to Advanced Fire Control as the lowest responsive, responsible bidder for the total bid amount of $381,744.
City staff have reviewed and verified all licenses and references for Advanced Fire Control, and all other documentation is in order.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Funding for the recommended actions is available in the Fire Department’s FY 2026 Training Division’s operating budget within the General Fund 110 and Measure X Fund 120.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
This action is categorically exempt pursuant to Section 1506(b)(3) of the Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which states that the activity is covered by the common sense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA, and is therefore exempt from CEQA. This action approves the purchase of the live fire training prop, and there is no possibility that this project will have an effect on the environment. Therefore, no environmental analysis is required.
PREPARED BY: JUSTIN DETMER, FIRE CAPTAIN
REVIEWED BY: BRIAN YOUNG, FIRE CHIEF
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Exhibit 1 – NIB 26-0410SB Live Fire Training Prop
2. Exhibit 2 – Advanced Fire Control Bid Presentation