AGENDA ITEM EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ITEM TITLE*
title
Approve a Like-Kind Transfer of a Firefighter Personal Protective Ensemble (Turnout Gear).
presenter
RESPONSIBLE STAFF, TITLE, DEPARTMENT*
Jay Mebane, Fire Chief, Fire Department
David Sasser, Assistant Fire Chief of Operations, Fire Department
STAFF RECOMMENDATION*
Staff recommends council approve the transfer of a set of firefighter turnout gear to the Town of Carolina Beach Fire Department; in exchange, the Town of Carolina Beach Fire Department will buy a new set of firefighter turnout gear for the Chapel Hill Fire Department
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ACTION/DECISION POINTS*
Council must approve or reject the transfer of turnout gear for a like-kind exchange.
LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT*
North Carolina General Statute 160A-274 requires council to approve the sale, lease, exchange, or joint use of property owned and used by a governmental unit.
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT*
Firefighter turnout gear is tailor-made to a firefighter’s specific measurements, takes three to nine months to manufacture, and has a designated shelf life to ensure it meets nationally accepted standards. When a set of turnout gear becomes spare inventory, it is assigned to another firefighter if the sizes match. When gear is made for people larger or smaller than average, it is less likely to be reused before its shelf life expires.
Recently, a Chapel Hill firefighter resigned and moved to Carolina Beach to be with their spouse. They gained employment with the Town of Carolina Beach Fire Department, but due to their size, spare gear was not available. Since their former Chapel Hill gear is smaller in size, we will not be able to reuse it easily. Given that the gear was fitted to the former firefighter, Carolina Beach Fire requested a like-kind exchange.
TRADEOFFS, ALTERNATIVES, IMPACTS
If Council decides to retain the gear, it is unlikely its usability will be maximized before it expires.
If Council decides to transfer the turnout gear, a new set will be purchased by Carolina Beach Fire for a current Chapel Hill Firefighter in need of new gear.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
No funding is needed.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE TRANSFER OF FIREFIGHTER TURNOUTGEAR TO CAROLINA BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT IN EXCHANGE FOR FIREFIGHTER TURNOUT GEAR PURCHASED FOR CHAPEL HILL FIRE DEPARTMENT (2025-04-09/R-2)
WHEREAS, the Chapel Hill Fire Department recognizes that the gear is unlikely to be repurposed to another firefighter; and
WHEREAS, an exchange is in the best interest of both fire departments and a mutual agreement has been reached; and
WHEREAS, the purchase of gear as agreed upon by the Carolina Beach Fire Department will benefit a current member of organization, thus increasing their safety and negating a financial loss; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council approve the exchange of the structural firefighting gear in accordance with North Carolina General Statute.
This the 9th day of April, 2025.
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