Gary’s fire chief presented a special-revenue spending package to the finance committee on Nov. 6 that would modernize EMS equipment and ambulances.

Chief Larry Toomey said the department proposes roughly $685,000 in miscellaneous emergency equipment (medical devices and other Stryker-supplied items) and the acquisition of three new ambulances priced at about $436,578 each plus a remount of a 2017 Horton ambulance estimated at roughly $342,000. "It's gonna be 3 of them total... and then the last ambulance is going to be a remount of an old 2017 Horton ambulance," the chief said.

Chief Toomey said EMS revenue and special funds support the purchases and that the fleet replacements address equipment that is out of compliance or past useful life. The department also described changes to salaries and new part-time positions for operations compliance and fire prevention that align with increased inspection needs.

Next steps: the department will submit ordinances with a detailed purchase list and recommended funding sources for council appropriation.