Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Belfast awards firefighter equipment bid tied to FEMA grant; council allocates local match
Summary
Council accepted a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant of $310,952.38 and awarded a bid to supply 22 SCBA units and related equipment to Fire Tech and Safety of New England; inclusion of quick‑disconnect regulators would raise the purchase total to $187,695 and the council authorized allocating the required $15,547.62 local match from a capital reserve.
The council approved awarding a bid for firefighter self‑contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units and related equipment after staff reported the city has been awarded a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant of $310,952.38 requiring a local match of $15,547.62.
Economic development director Thomas Kittredge summarized the procurement: the city received three bids; Fire Tech and Safety of New England was the lowest at $179,995. Kittredge said the department asked to add quick‑disconnect regulators for the 22 SCBA units at $350 per unit (an additional $7,700), which would raise the total order to $187,695. The city expects to procure the equipment and submit for reimbursement under the FEMA grant.
Kittredge asked the council to allocate the $15,547.62 local match from account 210537 (fire department capital reserve). The council moved, seconded and approved awarding the bid and allocating the match 5–0.
Why it matters: Replacing aging, non‑compliant SCBA units improves firefighter safety and rescue capability, and the purchase is largely reimbursable through the federal grant with a modest city match.
