Repairs are approved for PC Fire Engine 2

PHIL CAMPBELL — Councilmembers have approved up to $2,500 in repairs for a malfunctioning water tank gauge on Engine 2.

Fire Chief Andy Marbutt said the gauge on the department’s fire truck incorrectly shows the water tank as full when levels drop below one-quarter capacity.

He said repairs to the tank level indicator were estimated at about $1,674, though he noted the final cost could vary.

Mayor Greg Williams asked how quickly crews could repair the issue because firefighters could unknowingly respond with inadequate water levels.

“They’re usually about two weeks out,” Marbutt said.

Council member Billy Burks made a motion authorizing the repair if the cost remains $2,500 or less. Rodney Kuykendall seconded the motion, and the council approved it unanimously.

Marbutt said crews have already repaired brake issues affecting Engine 2.

He spoke about longterm plans to replace the department’s older gaspowered Chevrolet brush truck with a four-wheeldrive dual-wheel flatbed truck equipped with a skid unit.

Marbutt described the skid unit as a self-contained firefighting system with its own water tank, pump, and hose reel mounted in the truck bed.

He said used diesel trucks fitting the department’s needs were available for roughly $18,000 to $25,000, while the skid unit itself would cost about $14,000. The total replacement cost he estimated to be $34,000 to $35,000.

Councilmembers discussed possibly selling the department’s current brush truck to help offset the cost.

Marbutt said the rescue squad recently added two new members, bringing total membership to 31 volunteers.

In other business: The council approved switching the police department to the TangoTango LTE-based radio communication system already used by the sheriff’s office and local fire departments.

Burks said the system works through broadband cellular service and includes a phone app used by many departments.

He said current radio systems still experience dead spots throughout the county and inside some buildings.

“One of the big dead spots we have in the county is Ebenezer Church,” Burks said. “With the TangoTango, they sat there in the church parking lot and talked plain as day.”

He said older systems often lose signals inside metal buildings.

“As soon as you walk in the Piggly Wiggly or the Dollar Store, you’re on your own,” Burks said.

Council member Thomas Inman made the motion approving the system upgrade. Council member Lynn Landers seconded it, and the council approved the measure unanimously.

Councilmembers discussed replacing a tornado warning siren near Northwest Shoals Community College with weather radios.

Williams said NWSCC President Jeff Goodwin approached him about the issue while he was in Washington, D.C.

Former mayor Eddie Marbutt said crews had previously taken down the siren during construction near the college and that repairing it had once been estimated to cost more than $20,000.

Williams said NWSCC officials have discussed helping pay for weather radios if the town moves forward with that option.

The council tabled the matter pending further discussion with NWSCC officials.