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Fire district approves $225,798.56 for dual-certified wildland and extrication gear; federal grant covers most cost
Summary
The commission approved $225,798.56 from the Fire District Special Equipment Fund to buy dual-certified wildland/extrication gear; Chief Doug Williams said $179,000 will come from a federal grant and the remainder will be covered locally.
Sedgwick County Fire District No. 1 approved establishing $225,798.56 in budget authority to buy dual-certified wildland and extrication protective gear.
“This amount of money that we're transferring is for, what we call dual certified, wildland extrication gear,” Fire Chief Doug Williams explained, saying the lightweight sets are certified for fighting grass and field fires and also certified for extrication work at vehicle crashes. Williams said lighter gear helps crews operate in high-heat conditions, extends the life of heavier structural bunker gear, and provides cost savings because the lightweight sets cost about $1,000 each versus roughly $4,000 for structural bunker gear.
Williams told the commission about staffing and sizing decisions: the grant applied for covered 100 sets for 24-hour personnel and the department included additional sets—bringing the order to 148—to outfit mechanics, investigators and some chiefs who do not enter structures but need lighter protective clothing on scenes. He said $179,000 of the $225,798.56 total is covered by a federal grant and the district is responsible for the balance. Chairman Beatty moved to establish the budget authority; the clerk recorded unanimous 'Aye' votes from commissioners present.
Commissioner Howe asked why the count differed from the prior item; Williams replied that the extra sets were to ensure appropriate protection for non-entry personnel and to extend the life of structural gear.
