Board OKs buying new fire equipment

TEXARKANA, Ark. — During a regular meeting Tuesday, the city Board of Directors approved the purchase of a new breathing air compressor system for the Fire Department.

The new gear will be used to refill the tanks of air firefighters wear to work in smoky environments or anywhere else the air is unbreathable. The system comprises a compressor, a reservoir tank and a filling station, TAFD Chief David Fletcher told the Board.

The compressor system now in use was bought in 2006, requires increasing maintenance and will not be compatible with the next-generation air tanks TAFD expects to buy within a year or two, Fletcher said.

Emergency Vehicle Specialists Inc. of Hollister, California, was the winning bidder to supply the gear at a cost of almost $48,000, which was planned for in the current city budget. The company “was selected due to the inclusion of a sound-deadening enclosure,” according to a summary published with the meeting’s agenda.

During the citizen communication portion of the meeting, a number of residents raised concerns about the number of stray dogs and cats in the city, as well as the response of Animal Care and Adoption Center staff.

The shelter has often been closed lately, phone calls go unanswered, animal control officers are unresponsive, and there is a lack of transparency concerning shelter operations and finances, including how a recent $1 million donation is being spent, they said.

Animal overpopulation is stressing the system of city resources and volunteers that cares for dogs and cats, resulting in large numbers of abandoned animals and a high euthanization rate, said Mandy Abernathy with Ray of Hope Animal Refuge.

“This issue is caused by the lack of spay and neuter laws and education in the community, the lack of enforcement of any related laws that we have.

Now also, with these areas lacking our town has nearly become like a wasteland for animals being dumped and neglected daily,” she said.

It is the policy of the Board not to respond to people who speak during citizen communication.

The Board’s next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 7.