[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6521387,"mediaKeyId","5096460-ee456cf395e9818889f77445fa38fd93","parentId",5096460,"title","Husser fire chief asks Tangipahoa Parish board for 4WD service truck and turnout gear as insurance costs rise","audioSeconds",971,"startMs",106000,"endMs",1077000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5096460-ee456cf395e9818889f77445fa38fd93&start=106&end=1077","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5096460-ee456cf395e9818889f77445fa38fd93/thumbnail_106000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6521387/Tangipahoa-Parish/Louisiana/Husser-fire-chief-asks-Tangipahoa-Parish-board-for-4WD-service-truck-and-turnout-gear-as-insurance-costs-rise","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521387-8dbb6ac3e4851def2f2fba88a2deb454/orig.mp4?Expires=1776074474&Signature=ONg-6SmE7IMS2XNuDRa7GwJvRoTcBcpF6t6DGJ4MZ2g3tGaCOdBJuhdtAyUH6kOuEgeIsWBTxtffZohQepPiDgo9qCf6ABJWOo0yFlqIeaBRQjjspj73Hrl3FdF1NGiDhxQoF2Z~dkgtBQ7RDPLFfUdXzRwELVnildMMuf0Z3D9zEMqI7lo~f3l8jE9BXqwSAf7ymKhuEAQXZCoCJ3297K4wOv5Ilh-QhEdH5UO-tlwjsKF5KG8G7iZOXPp8ic1N3PQKYUWZAeeDE53ZVJ9el31rjkqj3nZNDwNAxsZ21jLYRLuWB~SbMebmkkjmoR5S6UsCEWRm1prBlWrc56rYfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tangipahoa Parish Government","date","2025-06-26T21:17:56Z","article","Husser Fire Department Chief Dale Vernon told the Tangipahoa Parish Fire Protection District No. 2 board on June 23 that the department needs 20 new sets of turnout gear and a 4-wheel-drive service truck to maintain response capability as insurance costs increase.

Vernon said the department has been relying on grants and volunteer support to buy equipment but that recent grant shortfalls and a jump in insurance costs have left the station short on replacement gear and dependable service vehicles. “We are in desperate need… the gear contract has expired,” Vernon said. He told the board he had obtained three quotes and that the cheapest per-set price he found was about $4,700; for 20 sets he calculated roughly $94,000.

Why it matters: Vernon said an aging service truck and limited compartment space are affecting the department’s ability to fight grass and range fires during the first critical 30–45 minutes of a response. He warned the situation could “affect my rate” if the department can’t hold fires quickly. He also said the department expects insurance costs to rise sharply and is reviewing budgets to absorb higher premiums. “Our insurance was $800,000. It’s a million 6,” a board speaker said during the discussion.

Board and staff response: The board and staff discussed process and budgeting. Vernon said he has some local 2% funds available to buy gear; Chair Miss Hyde confirmed that Vernon “has the money to purchase the gears.” Board members said the finance committee has begun monthly meetings to vet budget and capital-outlay requests, and Dennis James (finance staff) and Administrator David Atkins were identified as people to coordinate further. The board indicated Vernon should provide written lists and supporting documentation and that three quotes would be required for purchases.

Vernon also asked whether he had authority to act on the quotes immediately or needed to wait until the next meeting. A board member told Vernon to keep Administrator David Atkins informed about purchases and to share quote details with staff; Vernon said he would do so.

Numbers and procurement steps: Vernon said he requested three quotes and was awaiting one vendor’s reply; he estimated roughly $47.00 per unit in his initial remarks but later clarified the correct figure was about $4,700 per turnout set. He said the truck he needs is a 4-wheel-drive vehicle with a skid unit (an F‑250 or similar) and that used options are acceptable. Board members reminded chiefs that capital requests should be planned on a multi-year (five-year) timeline where possible and cautioned against counting on grants as guaranteed funding.

What was decided: The discussion ended with staff and board members agreeing to review Vernon’s written requests and quotes at the finance committee level and to coordinate with Administrator David Atkins and Dennis James. Vernon was told to provide quotes and to notify staff where he finds equipment; he said he would do so. There was no formal board vote recorded at the meeting to allocate additional parish capital for the truck; Vernon and the board treated the gear purchase as covered by available 2% funds and subject to procurement rules and quote requirements.

Looking ahead: Board members urged chiefs to prepare written capital lists for the budget/finance committee so requests are prioritized and transparent. Vernon said he would return with documentation and that the department will continue pursuing grants while seeking parish support for the truck if needed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tangipahoa Parish Fire Board | June 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Husser Fire Department Chief Dale Vernon told the Tangipahoa Parish Fire Protection District No. 2 board on June 23 that the department needs 20 new sets of turnout gear and a 4-wheel-drive service truck to maintain response capability as insurance costs increase.","taxTitle","Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana","taxId",4558,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6521381,"Tangipahoa Parish Fire District No. 2 accepts clean 2024 audit, names Tangy Times official journal and approves standby letter of credit to satisfy insurer",306,1158000,1464000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5096460-ee456cf395e9818889f77445fa38fd93&start=1158&end=1464","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5096460-ee456cf395e9818889f77445fa38fd93/thumbnail_1158000.jpg","/articles/6521381/Tangipahoa-Parish/Louisiana/Tangipahoa-Parish-Fire-District-No-2-accepts-clean-2024-audit-names-Tangy-Times-official-journal-and-approves-standby-letter-of-credit-to-satisfy-insurer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521381-89aa4d1edcb2234cd5050b92407b49af/orig.mp4?Expires=1776074474&Signature=Vs4N~U4gxO6~No02N13dwmFD8zeJn8S3D4KgITWsLHqlP6saU5U0o99gAqy3jcZncftK~IIwNQNENUuXjVxQOlR9qzpgKvpmUwXURgPxhplP7LqPy8sXyfO87OGX2918gB8srKU-2tRGEaUQ50v9MeUDgOkLKeyvv~iuujRdyvf9Mu9idDA~FL3KhuigeQBTEQV9vVEGYLXaZ9xdUhIQfoaZr5CwHuNkbwD4hqi68T3Flji1kpowWWo5GPpVFgUptmDh11LlEo7QFJx3~ZiM~nABCHj4~hU8oA1Dk27BJRwcc8lqJTO4-acFbxbBaVowWM2BP4RQtwPyKnC7xs4vYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tangipahoa Parish Fire Protection District No. 2 board on June 23 accepted a clean audit for fiscal 2024, approved its budgets and check register, designated the Tangy Times as the district’s official journal and adopted a resolution to apply for an irrevocable standby letter of credit with First Guaranty Bank to satisfy an insurer requirement.

Auditor’s report: Chris Johnson, the district’s auditor, told the board the firm issued an unmodified (clean) opinion on the 2024 financial statements. Johnson said audit procedures tested fixed assets, contracts and disbursements and found the records in good order. The auditor reported one condition: documentation supporting a $52,000 vehicle purchase did not include paperwork showing whether the purchase had been bid out. Johnson advised retaining procurement documentation with the administrator’s office.

Budget and check register: The board voted to approve the budgets and check register by roll call following a motion; roll-call responses recorded in the transcript showed affirmative votes without recorded opposition.

Official journal: The board approved a motion to designate the Tangy Times as the district’s official journal for legal advertising and notices. The motion passed 6–3 after roll call.

Standby letter of credit: The board adopted Resolution 25‑05 authorizing an application to First Guaranty Bank for an irrevocable standby letter of credit. According to the resolution presentation, the insurer required the district to provide a standby instrument to guarantee payment of up to $40,000 of any uninsured deductible if the district lacks ready funds to cover a claim. Administrator David Atkins and finance staff said the instrument is an insurer condition to secure a more favorable deductible structure. The resolution passed on a roll call vote with affirmative votes recorded.

What was decided and next steps: Board members directed staff to maintain procurement and audit documentation in Administrator David Atkins’s files in response to the auditor’s single finding. The finance staff and administrator will continue working with departments on capital-outlay prioritization and insurance budgeting. The audit acceptance, budget approval and the letter‑of‑credit resolution were recorded in the minutes for the meeting.","At its June 23 meeting the Tangipahoa Parish Fire Protection District No. 2 board accepted a clean 2024 audit with one finding, approved the budgets and check register, designated the Tangy Times as the district's official journal (6–3), and adopted Resolution 25-05 to apply to First Guaranty Bank for an irrevocable standby letter of credit the i","actionData","errors"]

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Husser fire chief asks Tangipahoa Parish board for 4WD service truck and turnout gear as insurance costs rise

Tangipahoa Parish Fire District No. 2 accepts clean 2024 audit, names Tangy Times official journal and approves standby letter of credit to satisfy insurer