The Soddy-Daisy Fire Department is replacing equipment that is near the end of its shelf life or was damaged in a recent fire.Two North Hamilton County municipalities are investing in the safety of their first responders by replacing or adding new equipment for their fire and police departments.
At their Sept. 6 meeting, Red Bank commissioners amended the city’s 2016-17 budget to appropriate $22,309 for the purchase of ballistic armor for the city’s Police Department.
The rapid-response kit includes high-impact vests for the department’s patrol and tactical officers to wear over the soft body armor they already have, providing additional protection in high-risk situations, Police Chief Tim Christol said during the same meeting. He explained that while soft body armor is fitted to the body of every officer and has a shelf life of about five years, the new ballistic armor has a shelf life of 20-plus years.
“It will be a long time before we have to worry about replacing them,” he said.
The city of Soddy-Daisy has freed up $75,000 in its 2017 budget thanks to a $303,000 Assistance to Firefighters Grant recently awarded to the Soddy-Daisy Fire Department.
The city had appropriated funds in the budget to cover the cost of replacing the department’s self-contained breathing apparatuses, which were nearing the end of their shelf lives. The SCBAs, which provide firefighters with breathable air in atmospheres dangerous to their lives or health, cost $5,800 apiece, according Fire Chief Mike Guffey, who said at the Commission’s Sept. 1 meeting that he will put a portion of the grant toward the purchase of the new SCBAs.
At the same meeting, Vice Mayor Patti Skates introduced a motion to use the $75,000 in funds the commissioners had previously allocated for the SCBAs to help to fund the construction of a new Fire Hall No. 3, which is located near Veterans Park, but her motion died due to a lack of a second from the other commissioners.
The SDFD will also get new gloves and boots, as well as 10 sets of new turnout gear, to replace equipment damaged while putting out a fire Aug. 18 at Norcia Fine Cabinetry, said City Manager Janice Cagle. She said she made an emergency purchase of $18,770 from city coffers to replace the turnout gear, and the city will be reimbursed by its insurance company for that purchase in addition to the cost for new gloves and boots.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com.