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County administrator says Chase County applied for FEMA grant for new fire truck; commissioners discuss ambulance and equipment needs
Summary
County Administrator Christy told the Chase County Commission on Dec. 31 that staff submitted a FEMA/Homeland Security grant application to purchase an off-the-rack fire truck and described equipment shortages, procurement timelines and local match requirements. Commissioners also discussed EMS requests for an additional ambulance.
Chase County staff submitted a FEMA/Homeland Security grant application seeking federal funds to buy a new fire truck, County Administrator Christy told the Board of County Commissioners at the Dec. 31 meeting.
Christy said the application was prepared with help from county staff and that federal programs asked for clear descriptions of local risks, assets and what the county would protect. She described the grant as including a vehicle-acquisition category, plus other categories for personal protective equipment and training.
Christy provided several figures from the application and procurement research: the stock vehicle price discussed was quoted at about $375,535 for a 2025 Freightliner; the county planned to install a 2,100-gallon tank (current truck capacity: 500 gallons). She said the grant program requires a cost share; because of Chase County—s size the required match would be 5%, which she calculated as $17,972.48. Christy said the grant—s period of availability runs 24 months and that FEMA would pay about 25% up front. She also said staff included about $1,900 in travel funds to send two firefighters to a manufacturer for training and to pick up a stock truck if awarded.
Christy emphasized lead times and the choice to pursue a stock truck. She said a custom truck can take two to three years to deliver and costs far more, whereas a stock truck could be delivered within three to six months. She cited the county—s current shortfall in compliant Type 1 fire trucks and urged the county to seek available federal funds to address equipment and safety gaps.
Separately, commissioners discussed EMS requests for another ambulance. Staff noted long lead times for ordered ambulances and that new high-value vehicles (for example, ambulances and some road graders or semis) already carry higher insurance deductibles in the county—s policy.
No final action to accept grant funding or to purchase vehicles was recorded; Christy said the county should hear about awards in April and that staff would report back if the grant is awarded.
