Funding sought for rescue equipment

If a federal government grant is approved, the municipality may soon have the funding to replace some aging rescue equipment.

At the municipal council meeting on Oct. 26, council approved $29,492 in funding in the 2010 budget for vehicle extrication equipment.

Glenn Noble, assistant fire chief for the municipality, said the grant from the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program will cover half of the cost of the equipment.

The equipment to be replaced includes two cutters, worth $19,000 before taxes, air lift bags worth $9,000 before taxes and a chop saw worth $1,200 before taxes.

He added that the fire department is replacing equipment at least 21 years old.

The fire department needs the equipment for vehicle rescues.

Noble said so far this year, the department has attended 28 vehicle accidents, although the tools were not needed at each one.

“It’s not something we’re using constantly,” he said.

He added that the cost does not include all the vehicle extrication equipment at the fire department. If all equipment were replaced, the cost would reach $75,000 to $80,000.

The grant application was due on Saturday.

The funding, if approved, will be in the 2010 municipal budget.

There are additional purchases needed for the fire department.

This year’s budget has approved the purchase of a new fire engine, for up to $600,000.

Noble said the new unit, which will not arrive for about a year, will come in below the budgeted amount.

+More Opinion Headlines
<Back to Mobile Edition