Board OKs purchase of firefighter gear

Four sets of coats, pants meant for part-time firefighters

The township supervisors have authorized the purchase of gear that officials say will make a big difference for local firefighters.

The board voted unanimously at a recent meeting to authorize a $15,000 capital purchase of four sets of firefighter equipment that Township Manager Larry Gregan said will make a big difference to those who would use it.

“Right now, each parttime firefighter does not have a specifically assigned set of bunker gear — a coat and the pants — for them to use,” Gregan said.

“They share, basically, depending on who’s on duty, and they grab another set,” he said.

During talks on their 2017 budget last fall, the township’s Department of Fire Services included $16,400 for the purchase of the personal protective equipment for part-time firefighters, Gregan told the township supervisors at their meeting last week. After seeking and evaluating bids, Gregan presented the result: vendor Municipal Emergency Services of Huntingdon Valley would provide four fire protective coats, four sets of protective pants, three sets of boots and a total of seven equipment bags, according to bid documents, at a total price of $14,826.92.

“This amount exceeds the capital expenditure limit of $10,000 without board approval, so we’re requesting authorization from the board to purchase this equipment,” he said.

The supervisors did so unanimously during their July 10 meeting, along with several other action items.

A new township policy for mobile communications devices was presented by Director of Administration and Human Resources Ann Shade, who said the new policy outlines updated rules and guidelines for employees using devices for official township business. The new policy will be included in the township’s employee handbook and its police department’s standard operating procedures, and was vetted by the township’s labor counsel, each department head, and the risk control department of the township’s insurance carrier, the Delaware Valley Insurance Trust, according to Shade.

The board unanimously approved that new policy, and also unanimously approved a waiver request from Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Church, which had asked the township for permission to construct a handicapped-accessible ramp near the front entrance to the church’s school building.

“I’m pretty sure everybody is OK with this one,” said supervisors’ Chairwoman Candyce Fluehr Chimera.

Montgomery Township’s board of supervisors next meets at 8 p.m. on July 24 at the township administration building, 1001 Stump Road. For more information or meeting agendas and materials visit www. MontgomeryTwp.org or follow @MontTwp on Twitter.