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Fire chief asks Onancock council for $35,000 to buy extractor and dryer for turnout gear
Summary
Onancock's fire chief presented 2024 department activity and asked the council to fund $35,000 for an extractor and dryer to reduce firefighter contamination risks; residents urged support during public comment.
The Onancock volunteer fire chief summarized the department's work in 2024 and asked the town council to approve a $35,000 appropriation this year to purchase a commercial extractor and dryer for turnout gear.
"Iwould like the town council to consider assisting us in finding a way to fund $35,000 for this year," the chief said, explaining the equipment would let crews decontaminate gear and reduce the risk of occupational cancer. The chief said volunteers responded to roughly 1,700 ambulance calls across the Eastern Shore in 2024 and that the department averaged 32 fire incidents per month.
Councilors asked for details on cost and operation; the chief said prior quotes placed both pieces of equipment at roughly $33,000 but prices fluctuate. Residents at public comment repeated support: "Safety of our residents should take priority over everything," Priscilla Hart told the council, urging approval of the request.
The chief also outlined a longer-range capital need: a fire-station annex he estimated would cost about $4,000,000 to address space, safety and cancer-prevention measures. Councilors flagged the line item for budget-season consideration and asked staff to include the request in the wish list for the 2026 budget discussions.
Next steps: the chief asked staff to present a formal appropriation request and to identify potential funding sources; councilors said they would consider the item during upcoming budget deliberations.
