Committee recommends purchase of rifle-rated vests and rapid-response kits for rescue task force

The Finance and Taxation Committee voted to recommend that the full common council approve the purchase of rifle-rated ballistic vests and rapid-response medical kits for the city's rescue task force.

Bess, a department staff member presenting the item, said the equipment supports recent training on mass-casualty and active-shooter response. "The vests are are basically, full armor vests, rated for, rifle, taking a rifle shot, very similar to what the police wear, except ours will be red and they'll say fire on it instead of blue and sane police," Bess said. She described the rapid-response kits as small medical bags that attach to the outside of the vests and carry dressings, hemostatic agents and tourniquets for immediate care in a mass-casualty event.

Bess gave a combined estimated purchase amount of approximately $29,001.86 and said the full expense will be covered by a previously awarded state grant. She told the committee the city has a $41,000 grant that qualifies this purchase. When asked about expiration and replacement cycles, Bess said consumable items have multi-year shelf lives, the soft armor carrier carries a five-year warranty and the ballistic plates have a 10-year warranty.

After brief questions from committee members about kit expiration and component warranties, a committee member moved to approve the recommendation and the chair seconded. The clerk recorded aye votes; the chair declared the recommendation passed and said it will be forwarded to the common council for final approval.