Local fire responders report new $85,075 gear grant, recent training and equipment donations

A fire department representative told the meeting that the department received a forestry grant worth $85,075 to buy new bunker and wildland gear, and that crews recently completed emergency-vehicle operations training.

About 20 personnel attended the department’s EVOC (emergency vehicle operations course), the representative said, and the grant paid for “all brand new gear, all Bunker and Wildland … and 19 sets” of turnout clothing and related items. The representative said some older or expired garments may be washed and kept in service while other items could be donated to departments with smaller budgets.

The question of liability for passing expired gear to other departments was raised by another meeting participant. “If you give it to somebody, does that point? If you give it to them and they use it, are you liable on that?” the participant asked. The fire department representative said donated gear "can be" usable in some circumstances but cautioned that insurance claims and other factors can affect whether expired gear is appropriate for front-line use.

Fire personnel also described changes to medical response rules and training. The representative said some medical interventions that were previously permitted are now restricted by licensing and protocol changes. “Now it’s all mandated and it’s stupid,” the representative said, adding that the department has added an EMR class run by the medical director and has six people signed up.

Responders reported recent vehicle-extrication and multi-vehicle incidents that made use of recently acquired rescue equipment and a rescue vehicle that has been “well used.” A department speaker said a truck should be back in service in about a week or two.

The group reviewed account balances affecting the fire fund. Reported balances were: General Fund $53,449.34, CPWA $113,693.08 and the fire department $125,076.85. The representative said forestry grant receipts totaled $85,000.66; after accounting for that grant the reported usable balance for the fire department was $40,076.85. Monthly cash activity and budget-to-actual reports were also provided, the speaker said.

Meeting participants discussed using surplus equipment to help volunteer departments with smaller budgets. One participant described volunteer departments that operate on fundraiser money or small local revenues, while the representative noted the local department receives sales tax revenue in addition to grant funds.

The department said it will continue training and will follow up with more details about vehicle repairs and equipment distribution.