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Waukegan public safety panel refers plan to buy 29-foot rescue/fireboat after presentation
Summary
The Public Safety Committee heard a presentation on a 29-foot Metal Shark Defiant fire‑rescue boat priced at federal GSA pricing of $748,358.65, voted to refer a funding allocation to finance for evaluation and possible budget amendment, and discussed training, storage and delivery timing.
The Waukegan Public Safety Committee voted Oct. 20 to refer to the finance department a proposal to allocate funds for a 29-foot Metal Shark Defiant fire‑rescue boat, after a detailed presentation on the department’s lake rescue and firefighting needs.
Fire department leaders told the committee the boat is priced under the General Services Administration schedule at $748,358.65 and is designed to support dive and rescue operations on Lake Michigan as well as firefighting in the harbor. The department said the vessel would be multipurpose—search and rescue, medical response and fire suppression—and described features including dual 300‑hp engines (600 hp total), thermal imaging, radar/sonar and a 500‑gallon‑per‑minute pump.
Committee members pressed on logistics, including operator training, storage and insurance. The department said the manufacturer will provide a two‑day, train‑the‑trainer session for four members who will then train other personnel; the department already has about 60 certified boat operators. The proposed winter storage location was identified as Bay Marine; the department said storage costs and any insurance premium increases were not yet known. Build time at the manufacturer was given as about one year.
Alderman Vic Guzman moved to begin allocating funds from a local fund referenced in the meeting as “RAT money” (the committee used that phrase during deliberations) and to refer the matter to finance to determine whether a budget amendment or other funding vehicle is required. The motion was seconded and carried by roll call. Committee members emphasized that allocation and final purchase would require subsequent council approval and that finance would review availability and legal steps before the item returned to committee and then to full council.
Committee members and the fire department framed the purchase as a safety investment rather than a discretionary expense; the chief characterized the vessel as an “insurance policy” for lake operations and warned that existing department boats are older, borrowed or ill‑equipped for rough Lake Michigan conditions.
The committee recorded no final purchase authorization; the referral to finance is intended to determine feasibility and to prepare any ordinance, resolution or budget amendment needed for a future vote.
Action taken: positive referral to finance for evaluation of funding and next steps. No final purchase or contract was authorized at the Oct. 20 meeting.
