Council Approves Hazmat Purchase

— The city’s Fire Department will be able to respond to hazardous material calls at the first of the year after the City Council approved buying equipment for the team.

The council approved 7-0 to spend $134,175 to outfit the team, including a truck to haul equipment. The truck’s estimated cost is $75,000.

“We have to be able to respond if something happens,” said Eric Ford, an alderman. “It’s better to be prepared than to wait.”

At A Glance

Council Action

Springdale’s City Council met Tuesday and approved:

Spending $28,900 to replace Police Department holsters.

Spending $121,000 to improve and expand the city’s animal shelter.

Accepted maintenance electric costs of street lights in Serenity Subdivision.

Filing cleanup liens for 669 48th St., 2889 Commons Ave., 609 Geneva St., 3207 and 3106 Kasey Ave., 701 Maple Drive and 2148 Woodford St.

Source: Staff Report

Ford is chairman of the Police and Fire Committee.

The new team was needed after Springdale gave notice it was withdrawing from the Regional Hazardous Material team. Rogers and Fayetteville have also said they were withdrawing.

All the equipment should be available within six weeks, said Fire Chief Mike Irwin. The only delay would be to the truck, which might take a few weeks more, he said.

“We will be ready to go on Jan. 1,” Irwin said. “If we don’t have the truck, we can load the equipment in the back of a pickup.”

The department is considering buying a used soft-drink delivery truck for the equipment. The truck, which has roll-up doors along both sides, would allow easy access to equipment, Irwin said.

“I think that would give us the best bang for the buck,” Irwin said.

The Fire Department responds to about 100 calls per year about hazardous material, Irwin said, usually the spill of gasoline or diesel fuel during an accident. Major incidents, where the entire team is called, are about five per year, he said.

In February, when two poultry plants leaked ammonia simultaneously, the Fire Department handled both incidents.

The council also approved condemning church property on the north side of Dearing Road, one-third of a mile east of the intersection of Dearing and 56th Street. The property, appraised at $57,000, will be used for right of way on the Don Tyson Boulevard interchange at Interstate 540.

A letter from the church’s board turned down the most recent offer and asked the city to move forward with condemnation. The condemnation proceedings will allow the church to receive money for the property while still disputing its value.

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