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Council hears mayor and fire chief on $35,200 free‑cash match to buy upgraded radios under federal grant
Summary
The mayor and fire chief told the Finance Committee the city must appropriate $35,200 in free cash as the match for a federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant to replace obsolete radios; price increases reduced radios from 42 to 38, requiring about $2,000 extra to reach the target 38 units for interoperability and safety.
The Finance Committee on Jan. 28 heard a request to appropriate $35,200 from free cash as the city's match for a federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) to replace aging fire radios. Mayor and fire department leadership said vendor price increases and upgraded specifications to ensure compatibility with a regional mutual‑aid channel reduced the purchased quantity from 42 units to 38 and slightly raised the city’s match above earlier estimates.
Mayor and the fire chief described radios that are water‑ and fire‑rated and said these higher‑end units (quoted in testimony at about $10,000 per radio) reduce the likelihood of failures in extreme conditions. They cited a recent incident on Oriole Street where firefighters lost communications during a response due to water intrusion. The chief said the grant includes a two‑year performance period, the radios have an approximate 6–8 week lead time, and the award includes a three‑year bumper‑to‑bumper warranty. The chief and mayor said the additional $2,000 request was to secure 38 radios — the maximum the city could afford under current quotes.
Committee members asked whether procurement timing or the committee’s two‑meeting rule would risk the grant; the chief said there was not a hard order deadline and that the city should meet the grant’s performance period. The chair kept the item with the committee for the second meeting consistent with the committee’s two‑meeting rule.
