Allison Armstrong, chief of the City of Toledo Fire and Rescue Department, presented three items to the committee: a Department of Homeland Security Port Security Grant award of up to $23,500 to buy thermal-imaging equipment and exposure suits for vessels; a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) award of $1,117,196.29 to purchase emergency and training equipment (with a 10% local match of $111,719); and authorization to purchase up to two used medic units and related equipment, with appropriation of capital funds for the purchases.

Armstrong said the AFG award is a reimbursement grant with a two-year performance period and that many items in the award are sole-source or covered under state contract or are the same equipment the department already uses. For that reason, the administration requested a waiver of competitive bidding for the awarded equipment and sought emergency declaration and authority to enter contracts. Councilmembers posed follow-up questions on the match, procurement approach and warranties; Armstrong said the match ($111,719) is a general-fund obligation and reiterated the procurement rationale.

On used medic units, Armstrong said the department is seeking up to two ambulances because a change in its contract with Toledo Firefighters Local 92 requires two additional medic units in service. Armstrong said the fleet of 20 ranges in manufacture years from 2010 to 2023 and that supply-chain delays for new ordered vehicles mean earlier delivery dates for replacements are uncertain (new vehicles being delivered in 2027). She said the administration had identified four candidate used units: the newest was a 2016 model with roughly 105,000 miles; other units had varying ages and mileage that the department would confirm by referral. Armstrong said fleet and maintenance staff would inspect vehicles and records before purchase.

The committee advanced the items on consent. Council members asked staff to supply additional specifics about candidate used units (exact ages, mileage and estimated remaining useful life) and the expected delivery timeline for any purchased used units.