TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: L. Keith Tomey III, Fire Chief
THROUGH: Terrence R. Moore, ICMA-CM
DATE: January 17, 2023
Title
EMERGENCY PURCHASE OF KNOX COMPANY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Motion for retroactive approval for the purchase of 25 ea. KeySecure6 devices, 10 ea. KeyDefender devices, 1,100 ea. eLock Core retrofit kits, and accessories from the Knox Co.
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Background:
The Knox Company provides secure, rapid access products and systems that allow first responders to gain access to building occupant keys and locking devices using a “Knox Box Key”. Each fire department emergency response vehicle is equipped with a Knox Box Key. This key provides access to a steel box that is located at each business location in the city. Inside the steel box are the entrance keys to that particular building. It was recently discovered that several keys that were issued to the City of Delray Beach Fire Department have been lost or misplaced. This has created a liability to the City. The solution is to move to a new, modern system for key security and Knox Box access. Several fire departments in Palm Beach County are moving to this platform including Palm Beach Fire Rescue and Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue.
The current system has been in place since the early 1980s. With modern security technology, an upgrade to the Fire Department’s equipment and keys is required. This purchase will provide the KeySecure devices for all frontline and reserve fire apparatus, the KeyDefender devices for the Fire Inspector staff vehicles, as well as 1,100 eLock Core retrofit kits for the existing Knox Boxes in the city.
Funding Source/Financial Impact:
GL 001-22-150-526.52-27, Operating Supplies Equipment < $5,000. Total cost of products and services from Knox Co. $309,489.65
Timing of Request:
This is an emergency purchase. Purchase order (PO) 2023-00000572 was approved on 12/21/2022.