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Ripon fire district hires candidate, accepts donated SCBA fill station and schedules engine training
Summary
The board approved hiring of firefighter candidate Ty DeMott, accepted several in‑kind donations including an SCBA bottle‑filling station and an IT cabinet, and heard that vendor fixes and additional pumping training on the district’s new engine are scheduled for June 22.
The Ripon Area Fire District board approved hiring a recommended candidate, accepted multiple in‑kind donations for the department and received an update on training and readiness for a new engine.
Chief Collins recommended hiring Ty DeMott after an interview process described by the chief; a board member moved to hire the recommended candidate, a second was recorded, and the motion passed by voice vote.
Board members reviewed a list of donated items that included an IT cabinet (estimated value ~ $300), carburetor‑cleaning brushes, a four‑gas meter obtained via marketplace (~$60) and a used SCBA bottle‑filling station purchased for approximately $192.05 that the donor said would otherwise cost tens of thousands of dollars new. Donors named in discussion included James Bridal and James Cooper. The board discussed calibration for gas meters and safety requirements for fill‑station components; members confirmed the department has or bought a calibration system so meters can be serviced in‑house.
Chief Collins also reported that the department loaded the new engine with hose and had an initial training session, but a pump communications glitch prevented pumping during initial tests. Vendor Pierce returned and fixed the issue; district staff said additional pump training is planned for June 22 and that the engine will be placed in service once crew testing and training are complete.
The board moved to accept the donations and approved the motion by voice vote. Members thanked the donors and discussed grant opportunities and procurement steps for gear, radios and other equipment in the months ahead.
The board recorded no immediate costs to the district for donated items aside from calibration and related maintenance; members noted that some larger purchases and expenditures (new engine, bunker gear) had already been built into the amended budget.
