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San Angelo council approves purchase of two Texas Task Force–spec rescue boats
Summary
The City Council voted 7-0 to buy two Zodiac Texas Task Force rescue-boat packages from Triad Marine for $63,753, funded by the TIFMAS program and community donations, to equip a new water-rescue team.
The San Angelo City Council approved the sole‑source purchase of two Zodiac Texas Task Force rescue‑boat packages from Triad Marine and Industrial Supply for $63,753, and authorized the city manager to negotiate and execute related documents. The vote was 7‑0 during the council’s April 1 meeting.
The purchase is part of a city plan to create a formal water‑rescue team after a September swift‑water event, Fire Chief Brody told council. “We did a needs assessment and risk assessment of San Angelo and we determined a couple gaps in the service delivery model. One of those gaps was a water rescue team,” Chief Brody said, adding that the September operation that rescued seven people “opened our eyes.”
City staff and the task force recommended the Zodiac model because it meets Texas Task Force 1 standards, is easy to deploy from shallow or unprepared banks and can be hand‑carried when necessary. Chief Brody also described personnel and training needs: boat crew members must hold technician‑level rescue certification and a rescue boat operator’s license.
Council heard that the purchase will not use general‑fund dollars. “There’s no local dollars. Zero dollars out of the general fund is going to pay for these boats. This is money from the TIFMAS program,” Chief Brody said, and he added that community donations have been ear‑marked for specialized training.
Mayor Brenda Gunter and councilmembers who asked questions praised the department’s work and the vendors’ Texas Task Force–spec equipment. Chief Brody said staff considered other suppliers but chose the Triad Marine package because it matched Task Force 1 standards and offered better deployability and state compatibility for possible mutual‑aid deployments.
The council recorded the item as a consent agenda award and approved it 7‑0. No amendments were proposed during the vote.
Buyers and implementers will now proceed with procurement paperwork and training plans; the fire department said it will certify additional personnel to technician level and boat operator standards so the units can be deployed both locally and under mutual‑aid arrangements.
