Commission approves routine replacement of aging fire hose

The City Commission approved the annual replacement of fire hose recommended by the Fire Department. Fire Chief Lohman told commissioners the department tests hose yearly as required and removes failed sections from service; this year roughly eight pieces of hose failed testing and the department still maintains older stock of hose that requires replacement.

Chief Lohman said the department completed an equipment change two years earlier, shifting to Keybrand fire hose manufactured in Dothan, Alabama, which the department has found to perform well compared with prior suppliers. The current action was described as routine maintenance: removing failed hose identified in mandated testing and replacing aged pieces to maintain readiness.

The commission voted to approve the purchase on the consent agenda; no budget amendment was reported during the meeting.