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Baldwin City fire chief reports 545 responses through July, flags equipment and EV fire challenges
Summary
Fire Chief delivered a midyear update reporting 545 calls Jan–July, 2,510 training hours and equipment outages on several apparatus; the chief warned batteries in electric-vehicle fires can re-ignite and said turnout gear and truck upgrades are budget priorities.
The Baldwin City fire chief told the council the department responded to 545 calls from January through July and logged 2,510 training hours as it continues to recruit and address equipment maintenance.
"The city of responded to 545 calls from January through July," the chief said, then summarized call categories, training classes taught and outreach events. He said a firefighter-1 class produced six recruits and the department expects to hire three of them.
The chief outlined equipment needs and maintenance problems: several engines and the tower have been out of service for pump repairs at different intervals, Tower 41 and Engine 42 showed limited service availability during the six-month span, and an older truck being considered for sale is 25 years old. He told the council firefighters have benefited from buying additional turnout gear and described plans to acquire new hoses, helmet cams and a positive-pressure fan for engine 42.
Council members pressed the chief on fundraising and programs such as Shop with a Hero and on technical issues with electric vehicles. The chief warned that battery fires in EVs present unusual and severe suppression challenges.
"Those batteries, the cells when it catches fire, the cells just ignite cell after cell and they're actual explosions," the chief said. He said existing blankets and foam have limitations and described experimental devices intended to access battery packs beneath vehicles; results are mixed.
The chief also provided a recent price point for fire apparatus and explained why older trucks are sometimes retained: the department paid about $690,000 for a recent engine and obtained a used ladder truck for $125,000 five years earlier; newer ladder trucks have been reported by the chief to cost above $1 million.
No council action followed the report; the presentation concluded before new-business items on the agenda.
