The Venice City Council approved the purchase of a high-water rescue apparatus after Fire Chief Micah Quek presented the department’s request and described operational needs prompted by recent storms. The council recorded a 7-0 vote to approve the purchase.

Chief Quek said the apparatus is designed to operate in flooded environments where standard emergency vehicles cannot and that during the most recent hurricane the city needed to borrow high-water vehicles from neighboring jurisdictions; she reported over 30 water rescues during the storm identified as Helene. The apparatus presented had an estimated cost of $416,000 (presented as "4,006 416,000" in the transcript; staff characterized grant-seeking to offset the price) and a life expectancy of about 15 years, the chief told council. The department said it planned to purchase a single unit to replace one at end-of-life.

Council members asked about cost, lifecycle and past service demands before Vice Mayor Sweeney moved to approve the purchase; the motion was seconded and carried by roll call vote recorded as 7-0.

The purchase was presented as grant-eligible; council did not adopt an amendment to the staff recommendation in the recorded discussion.