Hoover accepts state and county grants, mutual-aid equipment for fire and police; funds to offset World Police and Fire Games costs

The Hoover City Council on June 23 approved several items accepting donated equipment and grant dollars earmarked for public-safety equipment and event support.

The council voted to accept a Polaris Ranger all-terrain vehicle donated through the Alabama Mutual Aid System (AMAS) for the Hoover Fire Department. Staff said AMAS coordinates trained teams across the state for major disasters and that the vehicle was offered to the city as part of that mutual-aid program.

Councilors also approved two community-service grants presented by Alabama State Representative Lee Hulsey: $9,896 to purchase training equipment for the Hoover Fire Department (exhibit A to the resolution shows budget amendment language) and $9,348 to purchase automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for the Hoover Police Department; staff said the AEDs will be purchased from Go Rescue. Each resolution included a budget amendment to allow spending of the donated funds.

Separately, the council accepted $5,200 from the Alabama Department of Tourism via state representatives Mike Shaw and Lee Hulsey to offset costs tied to the World Police and Fire Games, including cleaning, rentals and supplies for events hosted in Hoover (the municipal stadium complex and Veterans Park were cited as primary venues).

All items passed on roll-call votes. Staff said the donations were in-hand and that the CFO was authorized to execute any required letters of understanding and budget amendments so the funds could be spent.