BRADY FLANIGANStaff Writer

The board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously approved two requests aimed at bolstering the city’s emergency services. 

Item No. 24-162 was a request to approve a quote of $14,434 from Carden Construction to replace the roof on Fire Hall #1 on S. Jackson St. with a pitched roof. The area in question is a flat section of the roof prone to accumulating water. Repairs and touch-ups have been made in the past, but it now demands a full replacement. The funding for the project will be higher than the budget.  

Item No. 24-161 authorized the department to apply for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant, a federal program operated by FEMA that provides funding for critical equipment and training to fire departments across the United States. If the grant were awarded, the fire department would receive $286,020 from FEMA–amounting to 90% of the project. The other 10% would be covered by the city, amounting to $31,780. The bulk of the funding would go towards the purchase of an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF)/Brush truck. Designed for responding to airport emergencies and brush fires, the vehicle carries 300 gallons of water and 100 gallons of foam. The remainder of the funding would go towards ten new sets of turnout gear–helmets, pants, gloves, everything.

Sometimes the smallest things can be the most exciting though. The tiniest piece of the funding? A new washer and dryer to replace a 17 year old unit.