Fire department to receive inflatable rescue craft

The Rhinelander Fire Department will soon have another piece of rescue equipment at its disposal. 

On Monday evening, the Common Council voted unanimously to approve the purchase of a Fortuna inflatable rescue craft at a cost of $7,200.

In a memo to the council, city administrator Patrick Reagan noted that ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds will be used to purchase the boat. Fire Chief Brian Tonnancour followed the city’s procurement policy in soliciting two quotes, he added. 

“The boat we have quoted out is perfect for the types of waterways that we have weaved in and out of Rhinelander,” Tonnancour wrote in a memo to Reagan. “The Rapid Deployment Craft (RDC) has the ability to be used not only in ice water rescue scenarios but also snow rescues with an UTV. The RDC blows up with one of our Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) bottles. 

“It makes for a rapid deployment and provides safety for our firefighters and potential victims that we would use it for rescuing. This adds to our ice water rescue program and is a need to enhance our capabilities,” the memo continued.

According to the memo, the boat is in stock and delivery is expected before Dec. 31.

The council also approved equipment purchases for City Hall and the police department, including chairs and computer monitors, using ARPA funds.

In introducing the resolutions, Reagan noted that all ARPA funds, distributed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, had to be spent by Dec. 31 or be returned to the federal government.

Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected]