Title
A Resolution Of The City Commission Of The City Of Hollywood, Florida, Authorizing And Approving The Appropriate City Officials To Issue A Purchase Order To Stryker For The Purchase Of 13 LIFEPAK 15s For Fire Rescue And Beach Safety In The Total Amount Of $439,852.79.
Strategic Plan Focus
Public Safety
Body
Staff Recommends: Approval of the attached Resolution.
Explanation:
The Hollywood Fire Rescue and Beach Safety Department is in need of purchasing LIFEPAK 15s (EKG/Defibrillator).
The LIFEPAK 15 performs an electrocardiogram and monitors the electrical activity of the heart and is also a defibrillator for acute cardiac care response. It’s designed for basic life support and advanced life support.
The LIFEPAK 15 should be replaced every five to seven years. Our current fleet of LIFEPAK 15s are approximately eleven years old. If the main electrical component fails, it’s beyond repairable. It has approached the end of its serviceable life.
The Emergency Medical Services Division has evaluated the current LIFEPAK 15 manufactured by Stryker and the two other major competitors in ZOLL and Philips. Both of the competitors provided presentations to discuss capabilities and allowed for hands on demonstrations and use by our personnel. After the evaluation of the two competitors, the Department concluded that the ZOLL X Series was a better product than Philips.
The Philips device was not considered for trial due to its unorthodox nature and complicated use. It was comprised of two separate units. One section is for assessment and the other one is for treatment. In the event a patient becomes unstable and requires electrical therapy, the assessment unit is inefficient and the treatment unit would have to be attached. This system is not efficient, or usable, in the High Performance-Resuscitation model we train with and use in the field.
The Department used and tested the ZOLL X Series device for five weeks at Fire Station 5.
The overall feedback was to remain with the LIFEPAK 15 manufactured by Stryker. Additionally, other agencies using the ZOLL device were contacted and provided negative feedback. For example, a Fire Department in Columbus, Ohio regretted the purchase after implementation.
The overwhelming response from the personnel was that the current LIFEPAK 15 is far superior to the other two devices. The LIFEPAK 15 was superior in functionality, ease of use, portability, and ruggedness. Additionally, keeping the current LIFEPAK 15 allows a multitude of connected devices to remain operational. The personnel’s knowledge of the device is such that there are very few times when issues arise that they can’t troubleshoot the issue. The Department has used some form of a LIFEPAK for at least 30 years for a reason that no other manufacturer has yet to produce a better piece of equipment.
Our experience with the LIFEPAK 15 has exceeded our expectations throughout the years. This LIFEPAK has been the benchmark for pre-hospital care and the hospital setting. Most paramedics have received their training using this device. It has been dependable over the years. In addition, the customer service from Stryker has also exceeded our expectations throughout the years. Operationally, the LIFEPAK 15 is the best fit to meet the demands of the Department and staying with this device will avoid the Department having to train personnel on a new device that would take months to complete and will allow the personnel to work with a device that they are very familiar with and comfortable operating.
Stryker has given the City of Hollywood a discount of $106,896.40.
After our evaluation, it’s in the best interest of the City of Hollywood Fire Rescue & Beach Safety to purchase the LIFEPAK 15 manufactured by Stryker
Fiscal Impact:
Funding for this project was included in the amended FY 2022 Capital Improvement Plan and is available in account numbers: 333.219901.52200.564530.001191.000.000; and 334.219901.52200.563010.000251.000.000.
Recommended for inclusion on the agenda by:
Dan Booker, Fire Chief
George R. Keller, Jr., CPPT, Deputy City Manager