City of Columbus - File #: 2314-2019

• File #: 2314-2019
• Version: 1
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 8/30/2019
• In control: Public Safety Committee
• On agenda: 9/9/2019
• Final action: 9/12/2019
• Title: To authorize the City Auditor to transfer funds within the Safety Initiative Fund; to authorize the Public Safety Director to enter into contract with Modern Technologies to establish a Virtual Reality training pilot program within the Divisions of Police and Fire; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Code: to authorize the expenditure of $81,000.00 from the Safety Initiative Subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($81,000.00)
• Sponsors: Mitchell Brown, Shannon G. Hardin

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
9/12/2019	1	CITY CLERK	Attest
9/11/2019	1	MAYOR	Signed
9/9/2019	1	COUNCIL PRESIDENT	Signed
9/9/2019	1	Columbus City Council	Approved	Pass

Explanation

BACKGROUND

This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Public Safety to enter into contract with Modern Technologies for Augmented and Virtual Reality Training Services (VR) for the Divisions of Police and Fire. Columbus City Council via ordinance 2061-2019, appropriated $81,000.00 within Safety Initiative Funds to the two divisions for the purpose of establishing a VR pilot program for police and fire training. City Council worked with the divisions of Police and Fire to identify projects that will prove the effectiveness of VR in the training environment.

The Division of Police has identified recruit firearms proficiency requirement to be the focus of their pilot. Each year, recruits from the Division are required to demonstrate proficiency with a firearm as a requirement for graduation. The identified pilot program would create a virtual shooting range in which recruits and training staff could identify weaknesses and improve upon mistakes.
The Division of Fire has identified arson and fire investigation training to be the focus of their pilot. VR training will allow trainees to examine multiple virtual fire scenes, and improve the ways that they detect and identify fire accelerants. In addition, VR training is safer for those participating than the current field training performed by the division, especially in regards to risk of exposure to hazardous carcinogens.
This ordinance also authorizes the transfer of Funds within the Safety Initiative Fund to properly align appropriations with projected expenditure.

Bid Information: This contract is recommended to be made with a waiver of formal bidding requirements as Police and Fire have identified the vendor as the best to meet their training needs and ensure the success of the program.

EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency action is requested to ensure that the Divisions of Police and Fire have the Virtual Reality training established in time for the upcoming Police and Fire...