PIMA — On Tuesday, the Pima Town Council accepted a grant from the United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties for $326,000 for the Fire Department to purchase new self-contained breathing apparatus.
“They also recently gave us $200,000 for our library, last year they gave us $200,000 for our soccer field, (and) they also gave us more money for our Fire Department last year. I’ve only been here a year-and-a-half, and that’s well over $1 million they’ve given us,” said Town Manager Vernon Batty. “We operate on a budget between $2 million and $3 million for the entire year, so that’s a sizeable investment in our community. Thank you so much.”
Assistant Chief Daryl Weech told the Town Council that, in addition to modernizing the department’s SCBA equipment, the funds will allow for upgrades to communications with firefighters who have entered a structure on fire or full of smoke.
The Town Council also voted unanimously to authorize the Fire Department spending $45,000 for the first payment on two new heart monitors. Total costs of the monitors and back-up batteries are $67,800, with the balance to be paid in two equal installments of $11,400 by July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025.
Editor’s note: This story was edited at 3:52 p.m. Wednesday, July 12, 2023, to correct the day of the Pima Town Council meetings.
