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Published June 05, 2007 11:51 pm -
Fire grant sparks split vote
Council can't agree on equipment and firetruck
BY CINDY TOOPES COURIER STAFF WRITER
OTTUMWA — If the city doesn’t pay a grant’s local match for physical fitness equipment, why does that cause the fire department to lose a new truck?
The story is longer than a fire hose.
During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Mark Sims of the finance department recommended approving the purchase of physical fitness equipment for both of the city’s fire stations. He said the Ottumwa Fire Department “was a successful recipient of the 2006 Fire Act Grant.”
Included in the grant was the approval of the purchase of these physical fitness items: heavy-duty treadmill, $2,667; two elliptical machines, $5,600; and two Schwinn Airdynes, $900; plus $299 for delivery and setup. These total $9,466.
“The grant covers 90 percent and the city’s 10 percent match will come from the Capital Improvements program,” O’Connor said.
The chief also said physical fitness is a high priority for firefighters because heart attack is the number one killer.
Councilman Gordon Aistrope said physical fitness is a high priority to all citizens.
“Many citizens work and have to pay for [physical fitness]. I’m in the Wellness Program, too, but what bothers me is that we buy equipment when we know we need other equipment,” he said. “I have a memo here about defibrillators.”
O’Connor said the firefighters have appointed times for working out and most of them do. He also said such exercise is “an important issue” and he wants physical training required in the next contract.
Finance Director Mike Heffernan said about a dozen firefighters have received disability during the past decade.
Councilman Gerald Brees said the same situation can occur in any of the other city departments. He wondered if other departments are pursuing such grants.
Heffernan said other departments don’t qualify for such grants.
O’Connor said employees of other departments, such as streets, have used the fire department’s exercise equipment.
Brees asked what happens to the grant money if the city doesn’t match it.
O’Connor said the city would have to give back the money and would lose an $850,000 firetruck.
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