Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lowry City officials report May 19 tornado damage; fire chief seeks equipment and supplies
Summary
After storms on May 19, Lowry City officials reported three EF1 tornadoes in the area and praised volunteers. Fire Chief Justin Norris asked the board to approve new gloves and described equipment needs; the board approved a $1,300 expenditure for gloves and discussed acquiring a replacement brush truck.
Fire Chief Justin Norris told the Lowry City Board of Aldermen on May 20 that the National Weather Service had assessed damage from storms on May 19 and identified three EF1 tornadoes with winds near 105 mph that originated southwest of Lowry City. Norris thanked firefighters, MoDOT, the sheriff’s office, city crews and volunteers for their response and recovery work.
Norris described several operational needs highlighted by the storm response. He asked residents to be sure a situation is an emergency before calling dispatch, noting an instance in which the reported location of a fire did not match actual conditions. He also explained that the city emergency siren times out after five minutes of run time and will not operate during power outages.
The chief described equipment concerns: several older vehicles in the fire fleet have mechanical issues, and staff are considering replacing an aging brush truck. He said a 2011 Ford F-250 4x4 priced at $13,500 is being evaluated as a possible purchase and mentioned the department’s savings as a potential funding source.
The board unanimously approved Norris’s request to purchase 10 pairs of structure-fire gloves with a spending limit of $1,300. The minutes record that the purchase was authorized on a motion from Alderman Sean Langston and a second from Alderman Shirley Edmunds.
Water and Wastewater Superintendent Josh Muller reported public-works storm damage including a broken bronze cemetery flower vase; Wommack Monument Co. will remove the vase after Memorial Day and provide repair quotes. Muller praised volunteer chainsaw crews including Pettibone Tree Service and Gary Eaton, and noted a company that formerly operated as Champion Brands offered chains, bars and oil for cleanup efforts. Muller also said he will try to have the cemetery mowed and weeded before Memorial Day on May 26.
Police Chief Charles Hodges was absent due to storm damage at his personal residence and did not present a report.
