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Muscatine Council approves $42,358 purchase of battery extrication tools for fire department
Summary
Council approved a $42,358.49 purchase order for battery‑operated extrication tools for Muscatine Fire Department; Fire Chief described equipment and said it replaces older hydraulic tools.
The Muscatine City Council approved a purchase order of $42,358.49 to McQueen for battery‑operated extrication tools for the Muscatine Fire Department during the Sept. 18 meeting.
Chief of the Muscatine Fire Department, Chief Hartman, described the equipment to the council: “So, extrication equipment, these these are tools that we use typically in car accidents. ... 1 is a 28 inch spreader ... Another 1 is an 8 inch cutter ... And then the last big piece is what we call a spreader ... it's a 60 inch spreader.” He said the new battery tools will replace the department’s oldest set, which used a gasoline engine to power hydraulics, and that the old tools will likely be retained as backups on the reserve engine.
Council member Lewis moved to approve the purchase order; Council member Connor seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (7–0).
Council member Lewis emphasized the value of faster extrication for patient care, saying he supported anything that “gets the victim out of the ... vehicle quicker so we can get them the help they need.”
The purchase order was listed on the consent agenda and approved without extended debate. The meeting record shows the council voted all ayes to authorize the purchase.
Ending: The department will place the new battery extrication tools into frontline service and maintain the old hydraulic set as a reserve toolset.
