Bayside Volunteer Fire Department gets two new vehicles

Kayla Desroches/KMXT

The Bayside Volunteer Fire Department exhibited its new equipment at the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly regular meeting Thursday.

The department parked its two new vehicles, a fire engine and a tender, outside the borough building to show assembly members and staff before the meeting began.

Inside the borough building, two firefighters bounce from foot to foot in the hall waiting to walk into the assembly chambers in full gear where the meeting has already begun.

They’re trying to keep in constant motion because they’re wearing devices set up to beep if the firefighter isn’t moving.

That beeping could save their lives if for some reason they get stuck or fall unconscious at the scene of a fire. The firefighters are decked out in high tech equipment, some of which is new – like the helmets and coats – but all of which is necessary according to Bayside Fire Chief Howard Rue.

Rue says the gear was paid for out of taxpayer dollars and he has the authority to spend those funds as long as the cost is $5,000 dollars or less.

When it comes to much larger dollar amounts, like those exceeding $25,000, the assembly may be required to approve the purchase. That was the case for the two new vehicles, which arrived at the beginning of the month.

According to Rue, they replaced the ones made in the early 80s and, together, the cost ran the borough about $870,000 dollars.

He says Bayside often applies for grants in addition to trying to cut costs by sharing resources with other stations.

“The city fire department and I are sharing services. A fit testing machine that Bayside has needs to replace, and that’s $14,000. I’ve talked to Chief Mullican. We are gonna share their equipment and help them maintain it.”

Rue says he’s always thinking about how to save money and considers it a priority, along with ensuring the equipment is up to date so that firefighters can best do their jobs.