WEST PARIS — West Paris Fire Chief Kevin Davis said he and Town Manager Joy Downing worked together to create a plan that will put to vote the purchase of air packs for the town’s fire department. The number of packs will be determined and listed on the warrant at the March 4 town meeting..

On Dec. 14, the select board had agreed to purchase eight air tanks at $7,500 each over three years, allocating the money from the fire department 2023 budget. Between that meeting and the Dec. 28 select board meeting, Downing said she met with the town auditor who advised voting for the equipment at the March town meeting [and not at a board meeting].

It was too late to add the purchase to the warrant of the Special Town Meeting also held on Dec. 28. Another reason the auditor recommended against the purchase was because the monies would have come from the Fire Department payroll budget, not the general budget.

Two air packs (out of eight) are currently compliant and are a different brand. Six would likely be replaced if the article passes at town meeting.

Davis said the six air packs are deemed out of compliance by the manufacturer because they have been in use for 15 years, negating the guarantee and warranty. Additionally,  National Fire Protection Association and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health standards disallow usage of air packs after 15 years, too.

Davis said ,”I am not going to be responsible for my safety or anyone else’s and have them using [air packs] that NIOSH or NFPA has said aren’t safe beyond that point [of 15 years].”

He said they have acquired other air packs for now and have enough to staff a full crew until the March vote.

Responding to comments on social media, Davis said, “We are not going to be closing [the fire department].”

He said he is not resigning, either.

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