Dade County commissioners approved SPLOST funding to buy a used mobile breathing-air compressor and accepted a Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation grant for rescue tools at their Oct. 2 meeting.

Chief Mark Gibson and other fire leaders explained that volunteer stations Davis and New Home requested $16,000 each (total $32,000) to purchase a used mobile compressor (reported price: $109,000 new; the used unit being offered had about 639 hours). The mobile unit can compress air to 6,000 psi and fill two SCBA bottles simultaneously; that capability would allow on-scene refilling of SCBA bottles during large incidents and give county crews greater operational flexibility than the repair-limited static fill capability currently available.

Commissioners also reviewed a staff report that Kathy Reagan, the county grant writer, had a favorable report for a Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation grant. The county applied for $32,795 to buy cutter and spreader tools (rescue equipment); staff described the grant as 100% funded pending final confirmation.

Both the SPLOST request for purchase of the breathing-air compressor (to be stored at New Home) and the resolution to accept the Firehouse Subs grant were included on the consent agenda and approved by unanimous vote. The county will execute procurement and finalize grant acceptance procedures per standard county purchasing rules and grant-administration requirements.