Winona OKs Fire Dept. To Buy Breathing Equipment
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jennifer [email protected]
Kevin Bell, WLFD assistant fire chief, requested the five apparatuses be purchased to equip the ladder truck recently purchased from the Kendallville Fire Department.[[In-content Ad]]The device is worn by rescue workers and firefighters to provide breathable air in a hostile environment.
There are three components to a breathing apparatus including a high pressure tank, pressure regulator and inhalation connection mouthpiece with a mouth or face mask.
The total cost of the equipment is $26,765. The fire department will contribute $14,000 and the town will cover $12,765.
The equipment will be purchased from Nowak.
Bell said the truck currently has three apparati on it and the department would like to add the five new ones.
Bell said the department currently has 21 self contained breathing apparati that are on its other rescue equipment vehicles.
Winona Lake Clerk Treasurer Retha Hicks said the town will have enough appropriations this year to cover the town's portion of purchasing the five apparati.
"We have saved our taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars by purchasing the used ladder truck instead of a new one, and I think it would be important to purchase the apparatus to go on the fire truck," councilwoman Sue Gooding said.
The council also approved a request from WLFD Chief Mitch Titus for the department to order five sets of bunker gear for the department that will be purchased next year out of the 2010 budget.
Bunker gear is used by fire departments for protective clothing.
In other business, the council approved flatlining 2010 salaries to 2009 levels. Salaries that will be flatlined include the clerk treasurer, town coordinator, town marshal and town staff.
Councilman Randy Swanson said he voted at the council's Nov. 24 meeting in favor of town employees receiving a one-time Christmas bonus because he thought it was the right thing to do.
"In light of the financial situation and what other government organizations are doing and with our constituents facing job losses I think it is a reasonable time to flatline salaries," Swanson said.
Swanson said the town employees have gone above and beyond the call of duty, and not giving them pay increases is not reflective on their performance.
Gooding agreed it was the right thing to do to flatline salaries.
"I don't feel it is the best signal we can send to our constituents by approving pay increases," Gooding said.
Councilwoman Joy Lohse said the employees have accomplished a lot this year.
"I don't think the town's employees miss a beat and are on top of getting things done," Lohse said.
The council also tabled a tree ordinance for the town to review suggestions from town attorney Jim Walmer.
Latest News
E-Editions
Kevin Bell, WLFD assistant fire chief, requested the five apparatuses be purchased to equip the ladder truck recently purchased from the Kendallville Fire Department.[[In-content Ad]]The device is worn by rescue workers and firefighters to provide breathable air in a hostile environment.
There are three components to a breathing apparatus including a high pressure tank, pressure regulator and inhalation connection mouthpiece with a mouth or face mask.
The total cost of the equipment is $26,765. The fire department will contribute $14,000 and the town will cover $12,765.
The equipment will be purchased from Nowak.
Bell said the truck currently has three apparati on it and the department would like to add the five new ones.
Bell said the department currently has 21 self contained breathing apparati that are on its other rescue equipment vehicles.
Winona Lake Clerk Treasurer Retha Hicks said the town will have enough appropriations this year to cover the town's portion of purchasing the five apparati.
"We have saved our taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars by purchasing the used ladder truck instead of a new one, and I think it would be important to purchase the apparatus to go on the fire truck," councilwoman Sue Gooding said.
The council also approved a request from WLFD Chief Mitch Titus for the department to order five sets of bunker gear for the department that will be purchased next year out of the 2010 budget.
Bunker gear is used by fire departments for protective clothing.
In other business, the council approved flatlining 2010 salaries to 2009 levels. Salaries that will be flatlined include the clerk treasurer, town coordinator, town marshal and town staff.
Councilman Randy Swanson said he voted at the council's Nov. 24 meeting in favor of town employees receiving a one-time Christmas bonus because he thought it was the right thing to do.
"In light of the financial situation and what other government organizations are doing and with our constituents facing job losses I think it is a reasonable time to flatline salaries," Swanson said.
Swanson said the town employees have gone above and beyond the call of duty, and not giving them pay increases is not reflective on their performance.
Gooding agreed it was the right thing to do to flatline salaries.
"I don't feel it is the best signal we can send to our constituents by approving pay increases," Gooding said.
Councilwoman Joy Lohse said the employees have accomplished a lot this year.
"I don't think the town's employees miss a beat and are on top of getting things done," Lohse said.
The council also tabled a tree ordinance for the town to review suggestions from town attorney Jim Walmer.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092