Sheriff`s office, EMS get new equipment

Oct. 12--Two Davidson County emergency service agencies received approval this week for the purchase of new equipment, necessitated by aging components and updated technology.

During its regular meeting Tuesday night, the Davidson County Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of both civil disturbance gear for the Davidson County Sheriff's Office and two new ambulance units for Davidson County Emergency Services.

New Gear

Before Tuesday's approval, Davidson County Sheriff David Grice said deputies have been limited to a few shields and old helmets in the event of a civil disturbance. The department will now be equipped with 25 "civil disturbance scene kits," which include riot helmets, shin guards, elbow pads, chest protectors, flex cuffs, gas mask pouches and protective gloves.

The department also invested in 25 wooded riot batons.

All told, the equipment is expected to cost approximately $9,604. The money, as approved Tuesday in a budget amendment, will come from federal forfeiture funds. The remaining balance of last year's federal forfeiture fund is approximately $426,622, according to the agenda packet.

"In light of the situations going on around us, we felt like we should update a little bit," Grice said Wednesday, referring to the many protests that have taken place in numerous cities, including Charlotte, in recent weeks.

Grice said that if his officers had been needed to provide backup during a situation like the protests in Charlotte, they would not have been adequately equipped.

Improved technology and its accessibility, Grice said, also led to the decision to purchase the near gear. Many lightweight plastics for chest protectors and other equipment simply were not available years ago.

All of the new gear is described as "one size fits all" and will be stored until needed, rather than issued to individual officers.

Along with the new equipment, Grice said deputies are "brushing up" on civil disturbance training.

EMS Units

The two new ambulance units purchased by emergency services will replace two older units, which are currently used as spares, according to Larry James, director of Davidson County Emergency Services. Both units, he said Tuesday, have nearly 200,000 miles on them and will become surplus for future use of their parts.

County officials were given permission by Yadkin County Emergency Services to "piggyback" on a request for proposal they recently released. The piggyback offer allowed Davidson County to use the same bid offered by Northwestern Emergency Vehicles for the purchase.

The two EMS units, which will be 2016 Chevy diesel models, are expected to cost $149,823 each. The funding will be taken from the EMS capital outlay.

Mat Batts can be reached at (336) 249-3981, ext. 227, or at mat.batts@the-dispatch.com. Follow Mat on Twitter: @LexDispatchMB

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