SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (WHBL) -- Sheboygan's public protection committee got a look at the 2017 purchase requests from the police and fire department.
Sheboygan police chief Christopher Domagalski says their most urgent request is for a new dictation system for the officers. "The dictation system is software based, it's nine years old, and it's no longer supported. So it's just past its time." He says that system allows officers and detectives the chance to hand off the information needed to complete reports to the computer in order to help get a report put together in a timely manner.
Domagalski says the department also needs to replace its supply of external defibrillators. "Our defibrillators are anywhere from 9 to 14 years old. The batteries are worn out and other sort of issues like that. We're still using them, but it's time to replace them before it's too late, before they don't work when we need them." Another request on the list is a set of body cameras for the department. Domagalski says those cameras are starting to be expected by the public. Total cost for the requests is about $200,000.
The purchase requests from the fire department are a bit more expensive. Fire Chief Mike Romas says that Fire Stations 1 and 2 are in extreme need of repairs and they need a new building to replace them. "We're looking at cost efficiencies, and upkeep, maintenance, all those things. When you have an old building that kind of thing happens. The other fire station on the near south side, a truss collapsed, so there's roof damages. So we temporarily supported that, and that needs to be addressed." He says that new building would cost around $3 million. While repairs on the two stations are possible, Romas says that still leaves the city with a 100 year old building in Station One with will continue to need expensive upkeep.
Romas says one of their trucks is need of replacement because it's just too old. "It's one of our reserve status engines. It's 26 years old. NFPA, which is the National Fire Protection Association, recommends that an apparatus be in reserve status no more than 25 years, and this is the 26th year." The cost for that truck is about $500,000.
Those requests now head to other city committees for review and consideration as the city starts the 2017 budget process.