Council approves $36,313 appropriation for fire extrication equipment

Lebanon — The Lebanon City Council on Sept. 22 approved Resolution 2025-26 to appropriate $36,313 from the city’s general fire fund to purchase extrication equipment for the new ladder truck. The council opened and closed a required public hearing and voted to approve the appropriation by voice vote.

Council members said the purchase is a cost-saving opportunity because the vendor provided a demonstration set and extra batteries. A staff member described the equipment as cutting-and-spreading tools “like the jaws of life” used to free entrapped victims and said the set was offered at a savings and appeared undamaged. The staff member said, “They’re even giving us some extra batteries, so we felt it was the right move for the city and the department.”

City staff confirmed the item had been discussed at a previous council meeting and that an itemized breakdown had been circulated to council members before the vote. A separate speaker requested a wording correction in the resolution from “extraction” to “extrication” for the record; the council acknowledged the clarification.

The resolution states the appropriation will come from Fund 1101, the general budget for fire, in the amount of $36,313. The council opened a public hearing as required by ordinance, heard no public comment, and approved the resolution.

No dissent or abstentions were recorded in the meeting transcript; the vote was taken by voice and recorded as passing. The council did not attach additional conditions or follow-up tasks to the appropriation during the meeting.