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Hazel Park council approves fire-truck purchase and authorizes replacement ambulance; co-responder contract renewed
Summary
Council approved consent items including two new fire trucks largely funded by a $2.5 million state grant (city to finance roughly $564,000) and authorized the city manager to spend insurance-difference funds to replace an ambulance damaged while on a run. The council also renewed a county-funded co-responder contract with provisions to renegotiate if county funding ends.
The Hazel Park City Council approved the purchase of two fire trucks and moved to replace an ambulance that was totaled after being struck while on an emergency run.
Council members said a roughly $2.5 million state appropriation will cover the majority of the trucks' cost; the city expects to finance the remaining approximately $564,000 over time. The council discussed using those funds immediately so the department can begin the procurement process. "We believe we're going to be able to get two fire trucks," a council speaker told the meeting; the fire chief thanked staff and acknowledged the grant work done by legislators and local personnel.
Fire Chief Walker described a heavy workload for the department, saying they are "averaging right now 8 to 12 runs" and noting last year was the department's busiest year. He listed last-year call breakdowns (EMS runs, motor-vehicle accidents, house and commercial fires, CO alarms and other categories) to underscore the immediate need for additional apparatus.
Separately, council authorized the city manager to expend funds beyond insurance reimbursement to purchase a replacement ambulance promptly after a recent crash left a new ambulance likely totaled. The motion was moved, seconded and passed with no recorded dissent.
Council also discussed and authorized renewing a county-funded co-responder contract with Oakland Community Health Network to continue behavioral-health co-responder services. The mayor said the city would renegotiate or seek alternatives if county funding were to lapse in the future.
What happens next: Staff will move forward with procurement and financing plans for the trucks, order a replacement ambulance, and monitor county funding for the co-responder program.
