Chillicothe — Council voted to spend $23,000 for necessary expenses to keep the city’s new firefighters safe. On Monday, Chillicothe Council passed the ordinance to pay for the protective clothing for five new employees, on first reading.
Safety Service Committee chair Jeff Creed explained to me that the firefighters “gear” is required to be custom fit to each person, to help keep toxic fumes and heat from them at work. The gear is usually good for 10 years.
Creed said the Chillicothe Fire Department had five unanticipated vacancies – one retirement, and four resignations. He said the latter left for mostly higher-paying jobs in other towns. So, that meant about $4,000 for six articles of clothing for each replacement firefighter.
He said when a firefighter retires, they can take their custom gear with them. Otherwise, they must leave it with the fire department and it may fit others…though it usually doesn’t.
Hear Creed in his own words in the video interview in the article on the Scioto Post.
Kevin Coleman covers local government and culture for the Scioto Post and iHeart Media Southern Ohio. For stories or questions, contact Kevin Coleman or the iHeart Southern Ohio Newsroom.
1 of 1 Jeff Creed, Chillicothe Council's Safety Service Committee chair