DEPARTMENT: SAFD
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Charles N. Hood
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Contract for professional services with Mike Pietsch, P.E. Consulting Services, Inc. to assist the Fire Department in preparation for evaluation by the Insurance Services Office.
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the Fire Department to contract with Mike Pietsch, P.E. Consulting Services, Inc. for consultation and preparation of forms needed for the Fire Department’s evaluation by the Insurance Services Office (I.S.O) in an amount not to exceed $63,500.
Phase 1 of this consulting process was completed in FY 2016. For Phase 2 of the process, the proposed scope of work will consist of meeting with various officials from San Antonio in order to document the answers to the questions presented in I.S.O.’s pre-survey packet. Phase 3 of the consulting process will have Mr. Pietsch sitting with representatives from the Fire Department during the I.S.O. evaluation process as a representative voice and advisor.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Public Protection Classification (PPC) system is the countrywide classification system used by the Insurance Services Office to reflect a community's local fire protection for property insurance rating purposes. The public fire protection of a city, town or area is graded using ISO's Fire Suppression Rating Schedule to develop the community's classification.
ISO classifies communities from 1 (the best) to 10 (the worst) based on how well they score on the ISO Fire Suppression Rating Schedule, which grades such features as water distribution, fire department equipment and manpower and fire alarm facilities. ISO field representatives use the schedule when surveying a community's fire protection capability. The score that is determined from applying the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule is translated into a public protection classification. A perfect score in Texas is 104.26. It consists of 50 points for fire department capabilities, 40 points for water supply and distribution, 10 points for receiving and handling fire alarms and up to 4.26 points for "Texas Exceptions" that give extra credit for compressed air foam systems, certified volunteers and attending or teaching at the annual firemen's training school at Texas A&M University.
ISSUE:
The San Antonio Fire Department was last rated in 2011 and currently carries a 2/10 rating, which increased from a 3/10 rating with the assistance of Mike Pietsch, P.E. Consulting Services, Inc. The goal for this evaluation period is a 1/10 rating which would place the San Antonio Fire Department in the top tier of fire departments around the country and would reduce most fire insurance rates in the city.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City has the option not to award this contract and to direct staff to prepare these documents without the necessary subject matter expert.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes a contract with Mike Pietsch, P.E. Consulting Services, Inc. to perform I.S.O. consulting and form preparation services in an amount not to exceed $63,500. Funding is available in Fire’s FY 2017 Adopted Operating Budget. Phase 2 would be at a cost of $56,000.00 and Phase 3, $7,500.00.
RECOMMENDATION:
The staff recommends the approval of the contract for professional services with Mike Pietsch, P.E. Consulting Services for phases 2 and 3 of the consulting process for ISO’s Public Protection Classification (PPC).