University City Fire Department Gets Council Approval to Buy New Rescue Tool

has received  approval to purchase a rescue tool from Schumacher Fire Equipment for $33,264.

told the council the fire department is following "its long-term goals to standardize equipment." He said the new rescue tool is "15 years-old and outdated." People commonly refer to this type of rescue tool as the Jaws of Life. Miner said it would replace one that  doesn't have the spreading or the cutting force that today’s equipment has.

The fire department  purchased a rescue tool in 2007, the first in a series of three to be purchased. "This is the second set to be purchased under the long-term plan. The third one is scheduled to be purchased in 2016," Miner said.

Councilman L. Michael Glickert voiced some concern that the rescue tool could only be purchased from one distributor in the State of Missouri. He felt it didn't allow for  competitive pricing.

Chief Miner said that all brands were pretty much priced comparably, and that the particular brand of rescue tool the City wants to buy can only be purchased from one authorized distributor in Missouri.

In the end, the majority of councilmembers voted to approve the purchase. Councilman Glickert voted 'Nay.'