Council backs grant applications and gear purchases for police, fire and donations to neighboring department
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Summary
The council approved grant-related purchases and resolutions including tasers funded by a BCIF grant project (~$1M), a FEMA AFG resolution to replace radios and air packs (application for $2M with 10% city match), donation of used ballistic vests to Gadsden PD, and a $2,000 cybersecurity match.
At its Feb. 3 meeting Jackson City Council approved multiple public-safety items: a police taser purchase under a BCIF grant, a resolution to apply for a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) to replace radios and breathing apparatus, donation of used ballistic vests to Gadsden, Tenn., and a small cybersecurity training grant reimbursement.
On tasers: Council approved purchase of tasers as part of a BCIF grant-funded project. Staff said the entire grant was $1.5 million and the taser purchase portion is “right at $1,000,000.” A councilmember raised a question about whether officers involved in a recent fatal shooting had tasers available; the police chief said he would check and report back.
On firefighter equipment: Fire department staff described a proposed AFG request to buy 90 portable radios and 74 air packs plus replacement air bottles. Staff said the radios are about 10 years old and air packs are 13 years old; bottles must be replaced at 15 years per regulation. The AFG application would cover 90% of the cost and the city’s match was reported as about $200,000 if awarded. Council voted to adopt the resolution to apply.
On vests: The council approved donating used ballistic vests to the Gadsden Police Department; staff explained vests are cycled every five years and some used vests still have usable Kevlar despite vendor warranty limits.
On cybersecurity: Council approved a $2,000 PE Partners cybersecurity training software matching reimbursement as a consent item.
What happens next: Staff will submit the AFG application, proceed with vendor purchase under the BCIF-funded taser project, and follow up with the chief about taser availability in the cited shooting.
