The Lake View City Council approved the purchase of 25 new sets of bunker gear for the Lake View Fire Department (LVFD) during the last city council meeting. According to regulations set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fire departments are required to replace bunker gear every ten years. Jim Garrels, LVFD Chief, says while not all gear is labeled as expired, he explored options to replace all bunker sets for the department.
Each set is custom-measured and made for the specific firefighter. Garrels says a representative from Dinges Fire Company would be out to measure all the department members. He recommends this company, as they are known for creating top-notch gear.
Garrels says the custom-fit gear can be completed in 90 to 120 days. He says while $78,150 is a lot of money, this would keep the department in regulation with the NFPA for the next ten years. He also asked if there was an option to create a plan to purchase all 25 sets between two fiscal budgets.
The quote provided would just be for the bunker gear, as helmets, boots, and other protective products were purchased previously with money donated to the department. Garrels says currently, to purchase a complete set of safety gear for one firefighter would be approximately $16,000. City council members voted to approve the purchase of the bunker gear for the $78,000 that will be split between fiscal years 2024-25 and 2025-26 budgets.
