The Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the City of Fayetteville and Lincoln County Volunteer Fire Rescue (LCVFR) since both fire departments assist the other with events when requested. Both departments use their own protective gear that can be damaged when responding to a fire or other situation.

Fayetteville Fire Chief Davey Bergman and Doug Campbell, fire chief of the LCVFR “deem it necessary and appropriate to enter into this agreement to allocate the cost of damage to protective gear occurring while one fire protection entity is assisting the other,” according to the MOU.

Therefore, both fire departments agree to the following:

• Protective gear worn by personnel of either fire protection entity shall meet current National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and shall be less than 10 years since its manufacture date.

• Each party … shall retain responsibility for major repair from normal wear and tear and/or replacement of protective gear.

• In the event protective gear is damaged, contaminated or rendered unserviceable during an incident or event, the responsible party at the time of use shall be responsible for the cost of repair or replacement of protective gear, regardless of ownership.

• Any repair to protective gear shall be made by an entity certified to make such repairs and shall be made in accordance with standings including current NFPA guidelines.

• No repairs shall be made by an unauthorized person or entity.

• All repairs made must ensure that the protective gear is returned to a serviceable condition and maintains its original level of protective performance.

• In the event an article of protective gear must be replaced, the replacement shall be of the same manufacturer, model and specifications as the original equipment. In the event this isn’t feasible, replacement gear must be of equal or greater quality with protective performance meeting or exceeding current NFPA standards and compatible with existing equipment.

• Each fire department is to examine its protective gear prior to responding to an event and again after the completion of said event. Examining the protective gear after the event is to determine whether any damage, rips, tears or other defects occurred during the event that would result in a need for reimbursement for repairs or replacement.

• The MOU shall not apply to assistance provided by either entity to the other for emergency responses pursuant to the mutual aid agreement existing between the parties.

Alderman Tonya Allen made a motion to approve the MOU. Alderman Jeff Alderman seconded the motion which was unanimously approved with Aldermen Allen, Alder, Jeff Bradford, Mike Keenan, Joseph Faulkner and Dorothy Small voting yes.

Mayor Donna Hartman signed the MOU for the city. The MOU will have to be approved by the Lincoln County Commission and signed by Campbell before it goes into effect.

The BOMA also approved to accept a $50,500 Tennessee rescue grant. This is the first time the fire department has applied for and received this grant. Mayor Hartman said rescue squads typically apply for this grant. “Our fire department is also a rescue squad,” she said. “There is no match to this grant. The City doesn’t have to pay a percentage. We like these grants.”

BOMA previously approved Bergman purchasing two sets of personal protection gear, 28 pairs of gloves, an extraction tool and two stabilization kits when applying for the grant.

Vice Mayor Bradford made a motion to accept the grant funds. Alderman Keenan second the motion, which was unanimously approved.