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25-87782
CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Request to establish a standardization of specialized high-capacity lifting equipment manufactured by Paratech Incorporated.
1. Resolution to adopt the standardization policy and authorize the purchase of equipment and supplies manufactured by Paratech Incorporated.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Action Item
Approved for May 13, 2025 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Glendale Fire Department currently uses Paratech Incorporated airbags across all three fire truck companies and the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) apparatus. The equipment is used for a wide range of rescue operations that require precision lifting and stabilization.
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RECOMMENDATION
Approve the attached resolution authorizing the City Manager to adopt equipment standardization for the purchase of specialized equipment for daily use, manufactured by Paratech Incorporated.
ANALYSIS
The Glendale Fire Department currently deploys Paratech airbags on all three truck companies and the USAR apparatus. This effort does not represent a change in companies, but rather a move to officially standardize equipment already in use across the department. These lifting systems have a proven reliability in diverse rescue environments, offering rapid deployment, compact storage, and high lifting capacities suited to modern urban hazards. These systems can be placed into incidents involving structural collapse, vehicle entrapments, confined space rescues, and other technical scenarios where precise vertical movement of heavy loads is critical to victim access and survivability. Formalizing the use of Paratech airbags as the department-wide standard ensures consistent training, interoperability across multiple agencies, and logistical uniformity during complex incidents.
In addition, standardizing the use of Paratech airbags reflects best practices currently observed across USAR agencies. It reinforces consistency within Regional Task Force- 4, where USAR 21 serves as a Type 1 heavy apparatus. The next planned purchase will focus on replacing the existing Paratech high- and low-pressure air bag systems on USAR 21. In accordance with Firescope Incident Command System 162, air bag systems are a required component of the equipment cache for a Type I USAR team.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost of the specialized high-capacity lifting equipment from Paratech will cost $60,200, which was approved in the FY 2024-25 Budget. No new appropriation is being requested at this time. The City Council approved funding is outlined below:
Existing Appropriation
Amount Account String Funding Source
$60,200 GL: 45150-2650-GFD-0020-P0000-
PL: GFD01162AG
Federal Grant – UASI
2023
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
There is no possibility that the acceptance of the request may have a significant effect on the environment.
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
This item is exempt from campaign disclosure requirements. {{section.number}}e3
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ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Alternative 1: The City Council may deny the Fire Department’s request. To which, there will be no standardization for the specialized high-capacity lifting equipment.
Alternative 2: The City Council can consider any other alternative, not proposed by staff.
Doing so, would delay the procurement and replacement of this critical equipment on USAR 21. It would also result in lack of uniformity and interoperability, which could hinder operational coordination during incidents or regional responses.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Jeffrey Brooks, Acting Fire Chief
Prepared by:
David An, Battalion Chief
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS