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County ambulance board OKs redeployment of surplus radios; staff to prepare transfer resolution
Summary
Emergency communications staff asked whether surplus radios purchased by the ambulance district could be redeployed to volunteer fire districts; commissioners agreed the devices could be donated at no cost and asked staff to prepare a resolution documenting transfers.
The Bannock County ambulance board agreed that surplus radios purchased by the ambulance district may be redeployed to local fire districts at no charge, and asked staff to prepare a resolution documenting the transfers.
Adam McCain, the county's emergency communications director, told the board he had received a box of surplus radios that the ambulance district had purchased. McCain said similar surplus equipment donated by other agencies had previously been redeployed without complications, but these radios were purchased by the ambulance district and he sought guidance on whether to recoup any value before transferring them to volunteer agencies.
McCain said online resale values for the radios ranged from about $150 to $400 but that many of the units are more than 15 years old. He cited a local example, noting that "Caribou County redeploys theirs at the cost of $100 per radio," after which ownership transfers to the receiving agency.
Commissioners indicated they preferred donating the radios at zero cost given their age and depreciation. One commissioner said, "They're already depreciated to nothing," and the board agreed staff should prepare a resolution outlining recipients and transfer terms so the receiving agencies sign to accept responsibility for maintenance and liability.
What the board decided: Commissioners moved into the county ambulance board for the discussion, voted to allow redeployment, and directed staff to draft a resolution that will identify recipients and record the transfer of county property. The board did not set a universal resale or recoupment requirement; staff said they would return with a formal resolution for the commissioner's signature.
Why it matters: Donating the surplus radios could expand communications capacity for volunteer fire districts that lack funding for new equipment. Recording transfers via resolution will clarify ownership, liability and maintenance responsibilities for receiving agencies.
