Bolton fire chief reports 69 emergency calls, will seek Selectmen's bid waiver to buy Amkus rescue tools

Bolton Fire Chief Bruce Dixon reported operational activity and equipment needs during the commission’s April 27, 2026 meeting.

Dixon said the department responded to 69 emergency calls during the reporting period, including many EMS responses (one DOA), three motor vehicle accidents and several fire alarms; Bolton provided mutual aid to Andover and Hebron for structure fires. He reported Truck 134 sustained aerial damage, is in for annual service, and that the department will submit the repair estimate to its insurance company.

Dixon said ET134, T234 and R134 are scheduled for service in the next several weeks. Hose and ladder testing is planned for May, SCBA fit testing is scheduled for May 4, 2026, turnout gear will be professionally cleaned May 5, and all SCBA air packs will receive annual inspection in May.

On procurement, Dixon said the department completed an extensive evaluation of available rescue tools and concluded Amkus E tools best meet their specifications. He said he will appear before the Bolton Board of Selectmen on May 5, 2026 at 7:00 P.M. to request a bid waiver to purchase the Amkus tools from the Capital Improvement Budget; the minutes record that the purchase now fits within the budget set by the Selectmen.

These items were presented as operational updates; the commission did not take a separate vote on the procurement at this meeting. The commission noted the department’s planned maintenance and testing schedule and will monitor outcomes as schedules and approvals proceed.