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Fire chief: city to buy up to 10 turnout gear sets under FEMA passthrough grant
Summary
Edwardsville will purchase up to 10 sets of firefighter turnout gear through a FEMA passthrough award administered by the Kansas State Firefighters Association; the city will front about $37,250 from special sales tax funds and expect reimbursement in 4–8 weeks.
The Edwardsville Fire Department will purchase up to 10 sets of turnout gear (coats, trousers, gloves and hoods) using a FEMA award that passes through the Kansas State Firefighters Association. Fire Chief Tim Whittam said the grant requires the city to purchase the gear and then submit paperwork for reimbursement.
Whittam told the council the state‑contract vendor (Emergency Response Solutions / FireDEX representative) offers a price near $3,700 per set; because the department routinely budgets to replace three sets per year from the general fund, the grant allows the city to replace additional sets for new hires and volunteers. "We're looking to replace 10 sets of turnout gear," Whittam said, and staff asked for up to $37,250 from the special sales tax fund to cover the purchases while awaiting reimbursement, which they estimated would arrive in four to eight weeks.
Council members clarified that the grant is capped at 10 sets and the department identified eight immediately eligible personnel with room to add two more before a summer deadline; the council approved the purchase on a motion and roll call.
