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Olivet council approves fire equipment purchases as department mourns firefighter
Summary
The Olivet City Council authorized three Fire Department purchases totaling about $13,075 and heard that a Lexipol-assisted federal grant for a new truck was not awarded; Fire Chief John Collins also reported the recent death of firefighter Alyssa Fuentes and outlined training and outreach plans.
The Olivet City Council on Oct. 14 approved three Fire Department equipment purchases and heard updates on grant efforts and department activity, as Fire Chief John Collins reported the recent death of firefighter Alyssa Fuentes.
The council voted unanimously to allow the Fire Department to purchase personal protective equipment (a coat, helmet and boots) at a cost not to exceed $9,677.89; a programmable lightbar and controller for the grass truck not to exceed $2,626.86; and a 1-inch nozzle not to exceed $770.14. Fire Commissioner Don Walker told the council the funds were available in the department budget for these purchases.
Chief Collins said the department had applied last year for a federal grant for a new fire truck with assistance from Lexipol but was notified it did not receive the award. Lexipol has proposed three options for reapplying — a no-cost option, an application-assembly-only option and a full application/assembly option — and Collins and representatives of the Olivet Firefighters Association are reviewing how to revise the grant narrative and the requested match. Collins noted the grant would require a 10% local match.
Collins also told the council the department has been busy with multiple medical calls, public-education outreach at Olivet Community Schools and ongoing training; two firefighters are scheduled to attend Medical First Responder school in Marshall. He announced that firefighter Alyssa Fuentes "passed away in a tragic accident," a development he said has been difficult for the department.
The chief reminded the council of the Fire Department’s Halloween Open House scheduled for Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. The council did not take further action on the grant item during the meeting; equipment purchases were approved by motions from Commissioner Walker.
What happens next: the department will proceed with the approved equipment purchases and continue discussions with Lexipol and the firefighters’ association about whether to pay for outside help to resubmit the truck grant. The council did not set a timeline for a subsequent grant decision.
