Fire Chief Meredith Lund met with the New Ipswich Board of Selectmen last week to discuss the four warrant articles on the ballot regarding the fire department. Lund's priority is one regarding an exhaust system to protect firefighters from breathing hazardous, even carcinogenic, diesel fuel exhaust. It would cost between $64,000 to $65,000.
"We should've done it in 2009 when it was recommended by the Department of Labor," she said. Lund began as New Ipswich fire chief in March 2016.
A proper exhaust system is required and especially necessary because there is office space above the garage at the fire station. The cost has to be funded by a warrant article because, as a volunteer department without people in the building 24-hours a day, it is ineligible for a grant.
The product they are looking at includes a hose that attaches to the exhaust pipe of each truck to keep diesel exhaust from filling the building.
Alluding to the possibility of a new fire station in the future, Selectman David Lage said, "I'm wondering if this is a short-term thing or if you're happy where you are."
Lund insisted that while a new fire station in the coming years would be the best case scenario, this improvement in the current one is necessary for the safety and health of firefighters, who can spend up to several hours in the station after a call in which the trucks have run.
Other warrant articles will be for a new fire engine, costing about $475,000, with about $200,000 expected to be paid by a grant.
That cost could be much lower if the department looks into a used truck or other options, but needs to plan for the most costly scenario just in case. Lund will also look into the additional costs to lease instead of purchase.