City Council approves Purchase of New Turnout Gear

Fire Chief John Collins, in the green shirt, in attendance to the city council meeting.

OLIVET, Mich. - The November city council meeting was held on Monday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. in the Olivet City Hall chambers. During the meeting five subjects needed to be voted on. Including the approval for the Fire Department to purchase two new turnout gear. 

“[Turnout gear is] personal protection equipment, so that's head-to-toe, no skin exposed, all fire rated, all gas rated, all that stuff, so it’s protection for us,” John Collins, chief of the Olivet fire department

The council unanimously voted to approve the purchase of the equipment. They purchased two sets of turnout gear. The total came out to be $8,252.82.

“The equipment was purchased with city funds. We do have an Olivet Fire Fighters Association which raises money to help buy equipment, but this was not the source for this gear,” Donald Walker, fire commissioner said.

The two sets of gear are for Joe Everett and Jacob Witzke. Witzke is currently enrolled in fireman's school. Everett is going online to get additional training as he was a fireman in the past but needs to update his skills. 

“Each department needs to purchase a set of gear for each firefighter,” Laura Barlond-Maas, mayor of Olivet, said. 

It is uncertain when the Olivet Fire Department will receive the new equipment. According to Walker, they can expect to see it anywhere from two weeks to a few months.

City council meetings are open to all public to attend. The next meeting will be held Monday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Olivet City Hall chambers located at 117 South Main St.