City allots $93,000 to fire department in 2009 budget: Chief

The city of Charlottetown will dispense $93,000 to the fire department in 2009’s budget, says fire chief Bill Hogan.
Protective clothing will use up $70,000 and the remaining $33,000 will be used to purchase radios.
The department has asked city council for the funds for the past five years, Hogan said.
“This year they were able to meet our needs.”
The city’s 13 full-time and 78 volunteer firefighters are required by law to have their protective clothing and equipment inspected yearly. Damage is different from year to year and depends on frequency and intensity of exposure to fires, he said.
“A reddish tinge will appear on the clothing to indicate it has been damaged and needs to be replaced.”
Fire and emergency measures committee chair, Melissa Hilton, said the fire department needs upgrading with current technology so firefighters get the best protection.
“We’re constantly upgrading their equipment.”
Council decided to grant funds this year so replacements for damaged protective clothing could be made by purchasing in bulk, Hogan said.
“It’s cheaper in the long run.”
Hilton said the city began to look at the budget in August and September of 2008.
Hogan said to outfit a firefighter it costs the department $2,655. A coat and pants costs $2,000, boots are $185 a pair, a helmet is $320, a special protective hood, called a nomex hood, is $85 and gloves are $65 a pair.