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Commissioners approve fire/EMS procurements and change orders; authorize firefighter relief documentation
Summary
The commission approved three fire/EMS items: release of an RFP for 11 mobile data terminals for fire apparatus, two change orders for an EMS station project (lift-station electrical upgrade and bay flooring), and signed authorization for the firefighters relief association filing with the Kansas Department of Insurance.
Miami County commissioners approved several items related to fire and emergency medical services on Jan. 29, 2025, including permission to advertise an RFP for mobile data terminals (MDTs) for fire apparatus, two construction change orders at the Hillsdale EMS station, and county signoff needed for the firefighters relief association to receive state-administered funding.
Mark Whalen, rural fire coordinator for Miami County Fire Districts 1 and 2, asked the board to authorize releasing an RFP to install 11 MDTs on fire district apparatus to integrate with a new CAD, records-management and jail-management system scheduled to go live in April. Whalen said the MDTs would give fire units access to call information, hydrant locations and routing details. The county anticipates the project to cost about $100,000 for hardware, mounts, antennas and power supplies; commissioners approved the request to seek bids without allocating dollar amounts at this time.
On the EMS station project in Hillsdale, Frank Burrow, Miami County EMS chief, and Deputy Chief Matt Gamblin described a change order needed because a higher-capacity grinder pump required a bigger electrical service. The upgrade to a 50-amp service increases cost by $3,645; commissioners approved that change order unanimously.
A second change order for flooring in ambulance and an extra fire bay also came before the commission. The flooring vendor’s quote of $4,550 was increased after contractor CB Construction added bonding and builder’s-risk insurance to a total of $5,253; commissioners approved that change order unanimously. Staff said this covers flooring in both ambulance bays and an extra fire bay.
Commissioners also approved a procedural item required by the Kansas Department of Insurance: county signatures confirming the legitimacy of the volunteer firefighters relief association and that the department is public and meets asset thresholds. The county will have Commissioner Prince and the county clerk sign the documentation so the state can disburse annual relief funding and keep the fund operational.
Why it matters: The MDT procurement is intended to modernize field access to dispatch and mapping data. The change orders allow the Hillsdale EMS station to operate specified equipment and complete interior work; the firefighters relief paperwork is necessary to secure state-administered benefits for volunteers.
Next steps: Staff will release the MDT RFP and return with bids for board approval, process the electrical and flooring change orders through the contractor, and submit the signed relief association form to the Kansas Department of Insurance.
