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Kennett firefighters receive air packs; council redirects savings toward extrication tools request
Summary
Fire department bought 10 refurbished air packs and six bottles for $23,030, saving $37,366 from an original $60,396 allocation; the department requested reallocating remaining funds toward a $41,500 extrication tools purchase, leaving a $4,134 shortfall; council approved the reallocation.
Kennett City — The Kennett City Council approved a finance committee motion to reallocate savings from a firefighter equipment appropriation to purchase extrication tools after the fire department reported cost savings on air packs.
A fire department representative told the council the department had been allocated $60,396 to purchase air packs. After research, the department procured 10 refurbished air packs and six new bottles for a total of $23,030, saving $37,366 compared with the original allocation. The refurbished packs include the same warranty as new units and can be serviced under the vendor’s warranty; pack servicing after the warranty period was cited at about $250 per pack.
The department asked the council to redirect the remaining funds toward a new set of extrication tools costing $41,500, leaving a shortfall of $4,134. The fire department said the tools are a prioritized need and that vendors indicated prices may rise 10%–20% on July 1. The department also reported outfitting three firefighters with new turnout gear at no additional cost to the city thanks to a supplier arrangement.
The council considered the request and the finance committee moved to approve the reallocation; the motion carried by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The council did not specify whether the $4,134 shortfall would be covered from contingency or a future amendment; no additional appropriation language was read into the record.
What happens next: The fire department will proceed with purchases per the approved reallocation. The council will need to address the $4,134 shortfall in a subsequent action if not covered by departmental balances or contingency.
