Fire board accepts $5.52 million Pennington Foundation grant, approves countywide equipment purchases

The Elko County Board of Fire Commissioners unanimously accepted a Pennington Foundation grant totaling $5,521,434.20 and approved the purchases tied to that grant for countywide distribution of equipment.

Chairman (unnamed) presented the grant-acceptance item. Chief Peterson said the district was referred to the Pennington Foundation by the district attorney’s office and praised the foundation’s staff and trustees for being “overly excited to help us.” He summarized the planned acquisitions: “25 SCBAs and spare bottles with masks,” radios, extrication equipment and a turnout washer. Chief Peterson said some radios and equipment would be dispersed throughout the county, including to Wells, Jackpot and Osino.

Commissioner (unnamed) moved to accept the grant and directed the fire chief to write a thank-you letter to the Pennington Foundation on behalf of the district; that motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The board then approved the specific purchases tied to the grant, with Chief Peterson confirming the purchases are tied to previously submitted quotes and that no funds will be expended until the foundation releases the money.

A commissioner asked whether the SCBAs were Scott brand; Chief Peterson replied they are manufactured by MSA to match in-stock equipment and to maintain interchangeability with mutual-aid partners including the cities of Wells, Carlin, West Wendover and Elko.

The transcript records voice votes and the chairman’s statement that the motions carried; no roll-call tallies by name are recorded. The board did not specify an equipment delivery schedule, vendor names beyond the manufacturer for SCBAs, or any long-term maintenance commitments during the meeting.