In a manner of speaking, several area fire departments are still fighting the Carus Chemical fire. Oglesby’s expecting to spend $23,000 replacing hoses and five sets of fire fighter turnout gear damaged by potassium permanganate.
City Commissioner Terry Eutis says turnout gear is the protection a fire fighter wears inside a building. Until it’s replaced, five Oglesby fire fighters are doing without it. They can hook hoses to hydrants, operate controls on a fire truck, and do other support functions at a fire scene. But they can’t go inside a building.
Oglesby is making an insurance claim and asking the gear maker about warranty coverage. The City Council last night approved spending up to $30,000 in case costs are higher than expected.