The Navasota fire Department is getting some new equipment.
Speaking at Monday’s City Council meeting, finance director Lance Hall and Fire Chief Jason Katkoski presented the potential purchases for new battery powered rescue equipment, with Hall saying the funding for them would come from the Fire Fee Fund on utility bills.
“Current balance in the fund is around $47,745, with rescue tools being around $43,912. If we pool all of it down, we will be left with about $3,833 in there. We have been averaging about $6,000 to $7,000, up to $9,000 a year, in fund transfers. I have not done the transfer yet…but, it will be back up to around $10,000 afterward,” said Hall.
Hall mentioned the last time the fund was utilized was 2015, when around $36,000 was spent on new hoses.
Chief Katkoski said, while their current tools are great and they will keep them, these new tools he says will cut extrication times in half for them.
“Any of you who have been out, and seen us work with these tools, you have to transport a portable power unit, hoses…if you are going down inclines and stuff, it can get sketchy,” said Katkoski.
“Here, you just grab the tool off the truck with the battery, and start working. The tools are much faster now, than what they were, speeds are probably double what we currently use. So, it will make our extrications go much quicker.”
Money from the Fire Fee Fund can only be used for this equipment.
If you have questions, contact the city.
