STERLING—The Sterling Town Council approved the purchase of three new “turnouts” for the volunteer fire department at its meeting Tuesday, June 21.
Turnouts refer to the array of personal protective equipment worn by firefighters. The equipment includes the jackets, pants, helmet and boots. The new turnouts comply with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidelines. The turnouts are safe to use for up to 10 years.
Fire Chief Nick Lyon told the council about 10 pairs of turnouts are due to expire by next year. The three that are approved for purchase are not included in that number. Turnouts are priced around $3,000, according to Lyon.
“For the record, this isn’t the Cadillac turnout we’re driving around here,” Lyon said. “This is basic, what we have to have to get the job done.”
Councilwoman Heather Meyers, the council liaison with the fire department, is going continue to look for grant opportunities to purchase the turnouts that will be needed in a year.
Additionally, open burn has been closed for the summer. Open burn is defined as the burning of vegetation debris or other fire in an outdoor location where the fuel burned is not contained.
Recreational burn is still open for all residents and should remain open unless there is a change in weather patterns, making it to dry for any open fires.
