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Alpena council authorizes purchase of 29 sets of turnout gear using $87,500 state grant
Summary
The council authorized the fire chief to purchase 29 sets of turnout gear after the department received an $87,500 grant; staff recommended the low bid from Axes and Irons at $4,198.16 per set and will use grant funds plus a line‑item budget.
The Alpena City Council authorized the purchase of turnout gear for the fire department Sept. 16 after Fire Chief Edmonds said the department was awarded an $87,500 grant through the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.
"We're being awarded this grant request for the amount of $87,500 to outfit 25 members of the department," Chief Edmonds said. He asked council approval to buy 29 sets in total to outfit three recently added personnel and to ensure each career firefighter has primary and backup sets.
Staff presented three vendor quotes and recommended Axes and Irons as the lowest bidder at $4,198.16 per set for the requested FireDex Aeroflex custom turnout gear. The purchase will use the grant award and budgeted line‑item funds. A council member moved to authorize the purchase; the motion passed by voice vote with council members recorded as "aye." Chief Edmonds described gear lifespan and disposal practices and said older gear is kept for training but not for fire suppression once it exceeds NFPA life‑expectancy guidelines.
The purchase aims to maintain safety and reduce carcinogen exposure risks by allowing gear rotation and cleaning. Staff will complete procurement steps after council authorization and provide proof of a PO and order confirmation to access grant funds.
