DFD approved for new gear, equipment

Apr. 19—Duncan's fire department will receive new gear and outfitting and equipment for trucks previously purchased for the department.

During a routine Duncan City Council meeting on April 11, Council heard from City Manager Kim Meek on the need for gear for the department. The item specifically in question asked for the purchase of 47 sets of coats, pants and boots from PGI for dual-purpose wildland and rescue firefighting gear for a total price of $73,602 from Casco Industries, Inc.

Meek said the proposed gear would replace the current gear that is 10 years old and has reached its end-of-life service time.

"The near gear has an estimated delivery time of four months," Meek said. "This gear consists of pants, coat, suspenders, boots and goggles. This gear is designed to protect the firefighter for wildland firefighting and rescue operations. It is essential in providing proper approved protection to our firefighters."

The item was passed 4-0.

Council then turned its attention to the fire department's next request: two wildland up-fit package beds and equipment for a cab and chassis the department already purchased.

The up-fit packages totaled $267,892.26 from Casco Industries, Inc.

The equipment would be used as Duncan Fire Department's primary wildland brush attack response units and replace the 2008 Chevy Kodiak models known as Brush #2 and Brush #3, Meek said.

Meek said the package beds and equipment would be installed on the F550 super cab and chassis the city purchased on Nov. 8, 2022, and will be a "complete turn-key operation."

"This will complete the primary wildland brush attack units for fire station number two and number three," Meek said. "The 2008 unit has exceeded its service life and can no longer meet the demands required of it."

She said the expected delivery timeframe is December 2023 and the vehicles will have a lifespan expectancy of 12 to 15 years.

The item passed unanimously.