Boonville volunteer fire department warns of looming SCBA replacement and station repairs

John Bull, representing the Boonville Community Volunteer Fire Department, asked the board to consider the department's capital needs during the FY2026 budget work session.

"It costs approximately $12,000.00 to replace one air pack and they currently have 35 of them in service," Bull said, adding that the department needs all 35 for operations and that replacement of the air packs will likely be their single largest equipment cost. He estimated the replacement cost for the full set at approximately $420,000.00 and said some packs are expected to go out of service in 2028 and 2029.

Bull also raised concerns about station foundation settling and increased floor moisture; he recommended hiring a professional engineer to assess foundation issues rather than relying on vendor quotes for foam injection, noting that additional cracking and settling had developed since an earlier estimate.

Commissioners asked practical questions about how many air packs are carried on different apparatus and the department's use of the county turnout-gear reimbursement program. Bull said the ladder truck typically carries six air packs and that frontline trucks carry more packs to ensure availability on scene. He said Chief Brandon Renegar had not provided him details about plans for the county reimbursement program but that he personally thought the program was beneficial.

Bull thanked the board for time to finish his presentation; the board did not take a formal vote on the department's requests at the session.