Council hears requests for air compressor, new SCBA cylinders and a possible $100,000 mobile compressor

Fire Chief Ray Franco and Assistant Fire Chief Charlie Butterfield detailed several capital requests for the Fire Department, including an air compressor to refill SCBA cylinders locally, replacement air cylinders for aging packs, and a new fill station required by the new packs. Franco said the department currently travels to Ketchum to fill air packs, which can take hours and limits training opportunities.

Butterfield said a mobile air compressor could cost around $100,000 and the department is pursuing grants to offset costs of new packs; Council Member Jane Conard suggested the council delay funding a compressor until the full cost of new SCBA packs — which Butterfield said could approach $200,000 — is clear. The council discussed whether a joint purchase with neighboring departments would be more cost‑effective and asked staff to explore cooperative procurement options.