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Rankin County approves extrication tools purchase and tables burn-building project
Summary
Supervisors approved the purchase of four battery-operated 'combi' extrication tools for the emergency operations center and tabled a larger turnkey burn-building/training facility proposal pending further drawings and cost options.
The board approved purchasing four battery-operated combi extrication tools and associated vehicle mounting hardware after staff said such equipment would let EOC-certified crews begin extrication sooner at crash scenes. The lowest quote presented was $46,225 for four units (about $12,000 each) including mounting brackets; supervisors approved the procurement by motion and voice vote.
The purchase followed discussion of a recent serious crash that highlighted response time gaps for volunteer departments. Staff explained the combi tools are battery-operated and avoid the need to carry hydraulic pumps that require generators; they also said units have long service lives with maintenance.
Separately, the board discussed proposals for a county burn-building training facility. Staff described unsuccessful RFP rounds, a very high turnkey price on the first response, and sample designs using shipping containers. Supervisors debated whether the county could assemble the facility piecemeal or seek different contractors; the board voted to table the burn-building item to allow staff to gather drawings and potential local contractor interest before returning with more cost detail.
The meeting record shows motions to approve the combi tool purchase and to table the burn-building project, both carried by voice votes. No additional funding appropriation detail for the tools was recorded in the public discussion.
