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Covington fire chief says city will receive $10,000 grant; department seeks turnout gear and MABAS membership
Summary
Fire Chief Kagels told the Covington City Council the city will receive a $10,000 State Farm grant and asked to buy three sets of turnout gear and for council permission to pursue membership in the MABAS mutual‑aid system (estimated dues ~$300/year). Council asked for more information and asked the department to return to a future meeting.
Fire Chief Kagels told the Covington City Council on Oct. 7 that State Farm will award the Covington Fire Department a $10,000 grant and that the department would like to use the funds to buy three sets of turnout gear.
Kagels said the department also seeks to join the MABAS mutual‑aid system, which would formalize mutual‑aid arrangements with other Indiana and Illinois fire departments; the program’s annual dues were described in the meeting as about $300. Councilmembers Copenhaver and Smith asked several procedural and cost questions during the presentation. Bart Crowder distributed booklets about the MABAS system and answered technical questions.
Councilmember Smith said the department should gather additional information and bring a more detailed proposal to a future council meeting (she suggested Oct. 21 or Nov. 4 as possible dates). No formal council vote on the turnout‑gear purchase or MABAS membership was recorded in the transcript.
The department noted additional public‑safety activity: distribution and fire‑department installation of smoke alarms (available year‑round, though outreach is emphasized during Fire Prevention Week) and a community Ham and Bean dinner set for Oct. 26 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Fire Chief Kagels’ presentation concluded with the council asking the department to return with cost estimates and any required purchasing or budget actions at a subsequent meeting.
