Commission staff gave a series of operational updates.
Technology and dispatch: Commissioners said the Harris vendor had "flipped the switch" and aligned call types to required codes; staff recommended proceeding with setup after verifying that all agencies have established accounts.
Training and grants: Staff reviewed current and planned training (low‑ and high‑end operator classes, firefighter 1 and 2, hazmat and shore‑based water training) and noted a planned November 18 retest date for personnel. The county is coordinating with local high‑school programs and regional academies; some DMV and licensing scheduling remains pending at state offices.
Procurement: Staff presented an updated prioritized list for vehicle/apparatus replacement (the list was originally about $16.5 million and now totals roughly $18.5 million in current pricing). Staff noted vendor price holds were time‑limited and urged chiefs to finalize orders quickly. Finance staff said requisition authority is limited to a small set of county staff, which constrains ordering capacity.
Maintenance and apparatus status: Maintenance reported a repaired fire‑boat motor returned to service, another truck out of service due to a fuel‑pump failure, and parts sourcing efforts (NAPA and others) to find components for older model vehicles. Staff said some older trucks are reaching the point where out‑of‑service events are more frequent and parts procurement is increasingly difficult.
No binding procurement decisions were made on apparatus at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to continue follow‑up with council and vendors.