In August 2016, taxpayers approved an $8 million bond issue for the Lake St. Louis Fire Department. Now, the fire chief is showing them the new gear and equipment they've bought with that money. "NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) mandates you don't use it after 10 years and all of our gear is 10 years or older," said Chief Clinton Gussner.
"They normally have a five year cycle they’d like you to use. Use it for five years and then move it to reserve so you have two sets. But we never had that. We had two sets of gear but they were both 10 years old."
Now, they are replacing it piece by piece. The replacement jackets, boots, and gloves are made of a new material that is less restrictive and will allow firefighters to move faster.
"It’s now a lighter weight gear. It’s cut the weight in half. Whatever we can do to help with fatigue, weight stress in the summer time, or cold emergencies in winter time, it will actually help them with all of that," said Gussner.