AKRON, Ohio - As new income tax dollars begin to slowly roll in, the Akron Fire Department is working toward securing the equipment necessary to keep firefighters and the public safe.

Akron voters passed Issue 4 in November, levying an additional .25 percent income tax to improve roads and support police and fire services. The tax, which took effect Jan. 1., will bring in $13 million, or or 11 months' worth of taxes, in its first year. Going forward, the tax will generate an estimated $16 million over a full year.

"It's not instantaneously in your pocket," said Chief Clarence Tucker. "We're being very cautious to make sure we don't spend more than we have. We're doing exactly what we promised our taxpayers we would do."

Fire Station 2

The city expects to break ground this year to replace Akron Fire Station #2 in theMiddlebury neighborhood. The current station is so old the floors must be supported from the basement to hold the weight of the fire trucks.

The fire department is working with city engineers in the selection of architects specializing ni designing fires stations to it ensure the new station will meet the city's needs, Tucker said. No estimates on cost to build the new station are available yet.

The station will remain in the same location and the department plans to preserve the boy-and-girl-under-the-umbrella fountain known as "The Babies," which is more than a century old.

Ladder truck

The department's Engine #7 has the most miles and will be replaced at a cost of about $900,000, Tucker said. A plan is in the works for how the 75-foot ladder truck should be designed and built, which takes more than a year.

"You don't just order a new truck like a new vehicle," he said. " They're built to your specifications to meet the needs of your city."

As far as replacing old trucks, up next will be Akron's a 100-foot-platform truck, used to fight larger fires. Plans will be developed next year for the new roughly $1 million platform tuck, which will likely be delivered in 2020.

Firefighting gear

The department will is looking to purchase 275 sets of state-of-the-art gear so all firefighters have two sets. That used to be the standard in Akron, before the Great Recession, Tucker said, but many firefighters only have one set.

Firefighters need to be able to change out of gear that has absorbed carcinogens and other toxins from a fire, before heading to a second call.

Thermal imagers

These are the devices on fire trucks that help firefighters penetrate smoke to locate trapped in buildings. Some imagers will be replaced this year.

Extractors

Appearing similar to large clothes dryers, extractor machines are designed to pull the toxins out of the uniforms and other gear worn into fires.

Each of Akron's 14 stations should have an extractor, but currently only nine stations do. With two allocated in the city's 2017 budget at about $7,000 each, the department is asking Akron City Council clearance to seek bids for three more, bringing the city's total to 14.

Between fighting fires, answering emergency calls and planning for the new equipment the fire department has been busy.

"It's a wonderful problem to have; we are blessed," Tucker said. "The citizens have shown a great deal of trust and we appreciate the fact that they think this is a worthwhile effort."

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