South Shore Fire Department Getting New Turnout Gear

Members of the South Shore Fire Department will get new threads to replace protective gear that's ten years old.

The Mount Pleasant Finance/Legal/License Committee approved the new purchase at the Sept. 15 meeting.

Ordering 10 sets of personal protective wear - a coat and trousers - will cost $14,811 or $1,481 each. The money will come from the department's account.

Battalion Chief Jon Kaiser said by joining a consortium of fire departments across Milwaukee, Waukesha and Racine Counties, South Shore can take advantage of bulk pricing structures.

"The gear that needs replacing is 10 years old," he told committee members. "Normally, we would do a replacement at seven years, but the pieces were in good shape so we waited."

South Shore would like to make purchasing new turnout gear an annual expense.

Fire fighters are fitted for their gear and it takes about three months for an order to get filled.