The Lowell Sun
AYER, Mass. — The selectmen recently unanimously approved the bid from Northeast Rescue Systems for 12 sets of Globe turnout gear for the town's full-time firefighters.
The gear is going to cost $15,996, of which $14,000 was approved by Town Meeting in May.
"The rest of the money — $1,996 — is budgeted in the Fire Department budget," Fire Chief Robert Pedrazzi said. "This is only for the coats and pants. There's still more gear they'll have to get including hats, gloves and goggles."
Selectmen Chairman Carolyn McCreary asked Pedrazzi what would happen if the purchase was put off another year. Pedrazzi said the gear the firefighters have now is their only turnout gear and is custom made to fit each firefighter.
Pedrazzi also requested the selectmen's approval to replace the radios in the ambulance, which are more than 10 years old.
The cost of the radios is $5,776 and was made available from the May Town Meeting when voters approved a transfer of $75,000 from the Capital Budget. The $75,000 was used in conjunction with $100,000 from the Ambulance Enterprise Fund surplus to buy the new ambulance and replacement equipment.
The selectmen unanimously approved the bid from Vhoorees Tech Co. for the radios. They also gave permission for Pedrazzi to hire five call firefighters, increasing the number of firefighters to 20.
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