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Stamford fire chief asks for recurring PPE, hydrant replacements and a tanker in capital budget pitch
Summary
Assistant Chief Mike Robles told the capital review panel Stamford’s fire department requests annual PPE replacements, a $100,000 hydrant-replacement allocation, storage for apparatus and a 50/50-funded tanker with Turner River Fire Department to serve non-hydrant areas.
Assistant Chief Mike Robles summarized multiple fire-department capital requests to the capital-review meeting, saying the proposals are routine maintenance and safety items tied to the department’s collective bargaining agreement and operational needs. He said the department replaces roughly 50 sets of personal protective equipment each year to maintain two complete sets per firefighter and that staff are preparing purchase orders and a vendor contract to spend current balances this fiscal year.
Robles described the hydrant replacement program as an ongoing annual expense for Stamford’s roughly 2,000 hydrants and asked for $100,000 to replace older units as needed. He noted the city still owns some hydrants dating to the late 19th century and confirmed replacements occur when warranted.
On apparatus, Robles urged approval of a tanker to replace a 1986 vehicle with a transmission that is difficult to operate. He said the city would own the tanker and that Turner River Fire Department would contribute half the cost under a 50/50 partnership. Robles explained the operational need: in areas without hydrants the first tanker on scene may empty and need to travel to refill; a second tanker is required to maintain continuous water supply during extended incidents.
Robles also renewed a multi-year request for a lean-to storage roof at the Drill Fields to shelter apparatus from weather and protect vehicles such as the command vehicle that had sustained water damage while stored outdoors. He described the structure as an unheated roof intended to prevent further equipment deterioration.
Finally, Robles outlined a phased replacement plan for self-contained breathing apparatus bottles (SCBA cylinders). He said the fleet includes about 450 cylinders and staff plan to replace about 30 bottles per year rather than replacing them all at once.
Board members asked staff to note in the project comments that the tanker would be funded half by Turner River Fire Department; Robles confirmed that detail and closed his presentation.
