Council gets fiscal heads-up from fire department

Replacing fire equipment can get expensive, which is why the McCook City Council was given a heads-up at what kind of costs might be needed in the future.

McCook City Fire Chief Marc Harpham outlined to the McCook City Council Monday night the capital improvement plan for the city fire department, based on life expectancy of equipment.

Equipment that will be purchased next year include thermal imaging camera equipment, at $15,000 and four sets of fire fighter bunker gear at $8,000.

The department is still waiting to hear if it will receive a FEMA Fire Act grant to purchase self-contained breathing apparatus. Total price of the apparatus is $150,850, with the grant at $143,308 and five percent match from city general funds at $7,542.

Other equipment Harpham said may need to be replaced in the future, based on life expectancy of current equipment, include:

* multi-year financing, ambulance replacement, $210,600

* 2009-10: airport rescue and fire fighting vehicle, $71,000 in general funds and $280,800 in FAA federal funding

* 2012-13: cardiac/ monitor/defibrillator/pacer, $75,000

* 20015-16: command vehicle, $62,400

* 2019-2020: fire engine, $470,400

* 2023-24: ladder truck, $1.54 million