Amendment #14 to H3899

An amendment in regards to public safety in the city of Holyoke. Request of $16,000 for 5 sets of "turn out gear" for the Holyoke Fire Department. New equipment for our new hires is critical to ensure safety for the firefighter in all aspects of their job.

Mr. Vega moves to amend the bill Currently the Holyoke Fire Department budget is exasperated down to the point of any aid that can be

offered will be greatly accepted. The expense costs of funding new turnout gear for Firefighters is in the

vicinity over $2,600.00 per person. This gear is essential to the safety of the Firefighter during fireground

operations and per Massachusetts Firefighting Academy cannot be more than 5 years old.

According to NFPA 1851 Chapter Ten mandates that structural ensemble elements shall be retired no

more than 10 years from the date of manufacture. This Department has individuals in gear that is up

through 10 years of age and is in grave need of replacing.

At this time the Board of Fire Commissioners, the appointing Authority, is in the process of hiring five

(5) new recruits which require new gear and we do not have gear that is NFPA compliant. Being

awarded these funds would alleviate the stress on our current budget.