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Meeting authorizes up to $55,000 to replace aging firefighter turnout gear
Summary
Meeting participants approved a motion to authorize up to $55,000 from fixed assets to purchase new turnout gear after presenters said current sets reached their 10-year service life; the order will be placed next month and freight was added to the authorization.
Presenter reported the department's newest firefighter turnout sets were purchased about 10 years ago and said the National Fire Protection Association guidance sets an ideal service life of roughly 10 years under perfect storage and care. The presenter urged replacement to lower occupational risk and to comply with recommended service-life practices, saying the department could cover the purchase from existing fixed-asset funds.
The presenter said the department seeks roughly 16–17 full turnout sets (coat, pants, suspenders, hood) and provided vendor estimates: about $2,100 per coat and $1,500 per pair of pants in the higher-quality quotes, with an economy option somewhat cheaper. The presenter emphasized newer hoods designed to reduce head-and-neck exposure to carcinogens and noted the department has an extractor to clean turnout gear at station two.
During discussion a participant asked whether freight would be included. The presenter moved to “approve it and use your judgment … up to $50,000,” then amended the motion to $55,000 to cover freight charges. A committee member seconded and several participants voiced assent; no roll-call tally or individual yes/no votes were recorded in the transcript. The presenter also said the department would not place the order until next month because vendor quotes are valid for 30 days.
The presenter said the department has $100,000 budgeted in fixed-assets expense and has not yet spent from this year's allocation; after prior expenses and allocations the presenter estimated approximately $36,000 remained available from two prior $30,000 allocations but said exact accounting would be confirmed in records. The motion authorized staff to proceed with vendor selection and purchase up to the authorized amount.
The meeting did not record a precise numeric vote tally in the transcript; the motion was approved by voice and the item will move forward with staff to finalize vendor choice and scheduling.
