During the handing-over ceremony later today, Omar Figueroa will distribute the fire-fighting gears among the Forest Department’s ranges, Toledo Institute of Development and Education (TIDE), Ya’axche Conservation Trust (YCT), Corozal Sustainable Future Initiative (CSFI), the Rancho Dolores Environmental and Development Group limited and Programme for Belize (PfB).

The 17-member dive team is breaking its new, $109,000 dedicated dive truck with individualized gear for each team member paid for with a $42,000 grant from Firehouse Subs. The gear includes dry suits for cold water diving, tanks, flotation devices, and specialized dive masks with built-in speakers and a tether connecting the diver to the search conductor or “tender” on the surface.

The new truck will be used for structure fires. It is equipped with a foam injector used to control solvent fires, and has a hydraulic ladder rack. According to Fire Chief Baumgartner, the department plans to equip the truck with approximately $25,000 worth of needed equipment using funds from donations and the annual dance.

Several years ago the Osage Beach Fire District began tracking their vehicles with an AVL system. The Vehicle Locator system allows our dispatch agency to see the location of our two staffed engines at all times. Along with this system the District has worked with the App Developer to integrate their software with our 911 software. This integration allows the responding units to receive a text message on their truck mounted mobile devices that gives them turn by turn directions to the call.