Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Olivette council approves new firefighting gear and a powered stair chair totaling up to $31,000
Summary
The Olivette City Council unanimously authorized the fire department to buy two sets of structural firefighting gear (not to exceed $11,000) and a powered stair chair (not to exceed $20,000). Fire Chief Steve Carmen said the purchases improve safety and are funded or piggybacked through approved procurement channels.
The Olivette City Council voted unanimously to authorize two fire‑department equipment purchases aimed at improving firefighter and patient safety.
Fire Chief Steve Carmen asked the council to approve the purchase of two sets of structural firefighting gear from Sentinel Emergency Solutions under a SourceWell cooperative contract, with a cost cap of $11,000. "The gear provides critical protection against steam, heat and significantly reduces the risk of burns and other injuries," Carmen said, noting the department issues new gear to each newly hired firefighter as part of its FY26 improvement plan.
Carmen also requested authorization to buy a powered stair chair, a capital improvement item funded in the FY26 CIP, with a not‑to‑exceed price of $20,000. He described the device as offering an integrated power track to handle the majority of lifting during stair extrications, reducing the time and manpower required and lowering risk of lifting‑related injuries.
Council members moved and seconded both items. The council polled members and recorded unanimous approval for the gear purchase (motion passed) and for the powered stair chair (motion passed).
Both purchases were described by staff as either budgeted (stair chair in the FY26 CIP) or eligible for cooperative purchasing, which the city used to streamline procurement. Chief Carmen said the stair chair had been demonstrated for staff by a Striker representative prior to the council decision.
The council did not request additional conditions; both motions carried by voice poll.
The approved authorizations allow the fire department to proceed with procurement and deployment of the new equipment; staff said one of the approved gear sets will be issued to a recently hired firefighter and that the stair chair will replace an end‑of‑service manual model.
