HOUSTON – Channel 2 Investigates has learned Houston fire Chief Sam Pena will make a case to city leaders Tuesday to purchase about $12 million in new emergency equipment to update the HFD's ailing fleet.
Specifically, Chief Sam Pena will ask for 10 more evacuation boats, four more rescue boats and six to seven more high water vehicles.
The Houston Fire Department currently has one high water rescue vehicle.
The number of evacuation and rescue boats would approximately double the numbers currently in inventory.
The chief will argue, Channel 2 has learned, that to defray costs, some of the high water rescue trucks could be funded by non-traditional sources such as businesses and City Council member coffers.
"As we saw in Harvey, we would really like have more equipment to respond in a more appropriate fashion," Assistant chief, Ruy Lozano, said Monday.
Channel 2 Investigates has also learned that fire Chief Sam Pena will ask for, on an annually recurring basis, nine fire engine, four ladder trucks and 15 ambulances.
Those figures also approximately double current allocations.
In recent years, the mayor and City Council have opted not to allocate enough funding for HFD recommended purchases, citing city budgetary concerns.
