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Gunter volunteer fire captain outlines equipment needs, warns some items can't rely on fundraising
Summary
Captain Catherine Kramer told council the volunteer fire department needs industry-standard safety gear — including $2,000 SCBA facepieces and $300 certified boots — and that some essential replacements can't be met reliably by ad-hoc fundraisers.
Captain Catherine Kramer, representing Gunter Volunteer Fire Rescue, told the council Sept. 5 that many items in the department's request are basic safety needs or preparation for eventual paid staffing standards. She described several items that are costly and time-sensitive and said some cannot be replaced through occasional community fundraising.
"That mask in and of itself is a $2,000 mask as an example," Kramer said when describing a self-contained breathing apparatus facepiece that must be fit-tested and replaced on a schedule. She added that certified boots cost roughly $300 a pair and that helmets, bunker gear and replacement sets can be tens of thousands of dollars. Kramer cautioned that while fundraisers help with small items, the department needs reliable budgeted funding to ensure readiness and compliance with state standards if hiring paid staff becomes part of the long-term plan.
