2011 2:00:00 PM

Monday, October 24, 2011 2:00 PM
Legislative Building, 745 4th Street, Sparks, NV 89431

General Business: 6.2

Title: Presentation and possible acceptance of the donation of a joint venture firefighting foam unit from Kinder-Morgan Energy Partners.

Petitioner/Presenter: Division Chief Tom Garrison/Division Chief Andy Koski, Captain Joe Warner

Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council approve acceptance of the donation of a firefighting foam unit from Kinder-Morgan Energy Partners.

Financial Impact: N/A

Business Impact (Per NRS 237):
A Business Impact Statement is not required because this is not a rule.

Agenda Item Brief: To assist in the risk management of the petroleum bulk storage and distribution facilities in Sparks, a cooperative effort between the Sparks Fire Department (SFD) and Kinder-Morgan Energy Partners (KMEP) was started approximately two years ago. The result of this partnership was the creation of a self-propelled injection foam unit. At essentially no cost to the citizens or City, an SFD brush truck scheduled for surplus was used as the platform to carry a flatbed foam unit module designed and paid for by KMEP. This agenda item is for the presentation and acceptance of this foam unit by the City Council.

Background: The petroleum bulk storage and distribution facilities in Sparks have been relying on progressively aging fire protection systems, some of which are based on designs from the 1960’s. A little over two years ago the Sparks Fire Department (SFD) worked with Kinder-Morgan Energy Partners (KMEP) to conduct a comprehensive fire protection engineering review. The review cited the need for fixed fire protection upgrades (piping and accessories attached or “fixed” directly to the large tanks), a priority and schedule of those upgrades, and a firefighting foam production method for injection into the fixed protection systems. Firefighting foam is designed specifically for the suppression of flammable liquid fires by floating on top of the fuel and suppressing vapors, whereas water will simply sink and greatly compound the problem. KMEP worked closely with SFD to look at a range of options that would best meet the combined needs of the business owners and the emergency responders, so as to best protect the citizens and environment of Sparks. SFD proceeded to work on an innovative design that met the following criteria: • The system would have the flexibility to be used both within the tank farm and on the surface streets in the region (flammable liquid tankers distribute fuel from the tank farm to fueling facilities in Northern Nevada). • The system had to be simple, reliable, and familiar to responders. • We wanted to avoid a situation involving the need to tow something - previously we relied on a very heavy foam trailer that had significant logistical and inclement weather challenges. • Worked with KM to keep costs down. The result was a self-propelled injected foam unit. We utilized the cab and chassis from a brush fire fighting apparatus (four-wheel drive) that was old in years but young in miles, and then added the foam unit as a flatbed package on it. This extended the useful life of equipment going to surplus, avoided additional cost, and allowed KMEP to pay for and now donate the flatbed foam unit module back to the City. The overall project has included several key components: • The provision of a Memorandum of Understanding between SFD and Kinder-Morgan in the joint manufacture, maintenance, and use of the foam unit, • The use of a FoamPro single point injection system ( a system we use now on our other equipment), • The modification of our brush rig chassis to a flatbed by High Desert Fire Equipment, • The fabrication of the FoamPro system into our design by Hi-Tech Fire Apparatus, • And the painting of the brush rig by local venders at their cost. Given the considerable coordination of shared risk and shared cost/contributions, and the process that allowed us to collectively design and deliver a “best-fit” answer to the community, we wanted to give public credit to those businesses involved with this effort.

Analysis: This design meets all performance criteria, came in on budget, and provides a long-term solution to managing the potential flammable liquid fire risks involved within our City.

Alternatives: The City Council may choose to accept the donation of this foam unit, which is an integral part of the fire protection strategy for the tank farm. The City Council may choose not to approve the donation, provide the basis of their reservation, and direct staff to work on another approach. The City Council may choose to suspend acceptance until such time as any unresolved questions have been answered to their satisfaction.

Recommended Motion: Staff recommends that the City Council approve acceptance of the donation of a firefighting foam unit from Kinder-Morgan Energy Partners.

Attached Files:

Kinder Morgan MOU Current 7-7-11 Final.pdf

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