C:\inetpub\wwwroot\multitenant\temp\Fire Paratech dispense with bid establish standard 2025.pdf RESOLUTION NO.______________
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE,
CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING STANDARDIZATION OF MANUFACTURER,
DISPENSING WITH COMPETITIVE BIDDING AND AUTHORIZING THE
PURCHASING ADMINISTRATOR TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT AND
SUPPLIES MANUFACTURED PARATECH INC.
WHEREAS, the Glendale Fire Department currently deploys Paratech airbags on all three truck companies and the USAR apparatus, which are lifting systems that have a proven reliability in diverse rescue environments, offering rapid deployment, compact storage, and high lifting capacities suited to modern urban hazards; and
WHEREAS, 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 and formalizing the use of Paratech airbags as the department-wide standard ensures consistent training, interoperability across multiple agencies, and logistical uniformity during complex incidents; and WHEREAS, 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. This standardization further strengths operational cohesion within RTF-4 by promoting uniformity across the task force and enhancing overall effectiveness; and
WHEREAS, 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; and
WHEREAS, Paratech equipment has been the only air bag lifting system used by the department for many years. Its long-standing service record, proven reliability in diverse rescue scenarios, and strong alignment with operational needs have made it the department’s trusted standard. Fire personnel have repeatedly relied on Paratech systems in high-risk incidents with consistent, successful outcomes. Although alternative vendors were considered during this process, none provided sufficient advantages or met the department’s operational expectations.
This reinforces confidence in the equipment’s quality, safety, and effectiveness. The Fire Department without the need for comparative trials; and WHEREAS, the Glendale Fire Department long-standing operational use has demonstrated the equipment’s reliability, performance, and safety under demanding conditions.
Standardizing Paratech ensures compatibility with existing inventory, simplifies maintenance, and improves operational readiness. The Fire Department recommends establishing this standardization for a period of ten (10) years; and
WHEREAS, the City of Glendale Purchasing Policy promotes the standardization of commonly used items, vehicles, and equipment and this process will eliminate repetitive future approvals by the City Council for similar equipment and standardized items need to be reviewed by the Departments at least every five years and need to be approved by City Council at least every ten years.
C:\inetpub\wwwroot\multitenant\temp\Fire Paratech dispense with bid establish standard 2025.pdf
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GLENDALE:
1. That the City Council hereby approves the standardization of the high- and low- pressure air bag systems and related services from Paratech Inc. to ensure reliability, with the understanding that reasonable effort will be made in the purchase of such equipment to obtain competitive pricing.
2. That the determination to standardize high- and low-pressure air bag systems will be reviewed by the Fire Department and Purchasing Section at least every five years and the Fire Department will seek approval from City Council at least every ten years.
3. That the foregoing facts are deemed to be true and correct and a basis for dispensing with competitive bidding and the Council hereby finds that it is in the best interests of the City to dispense with competitive bidding.
4. The Purchasing Administrator is hereby authorized to issue purchase orders with Paratech Inc. for purchase of high- and low-pressure air bag systems and related services as needed, as long as the budget is available.
Adopted this __________ day of ______________________, 2025. _________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
) SS
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )
I, Dr. Suzie Abajian, Clerk of the City of Glendale, certify that the foregoing Resolution No. ________________ was adopted by the Council of the City of Glendale, California, at a regular meeting held on the _______ day of ____________________, 2025, and that same was adopted by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
________________________________
City Clerk