MT. VERNON, IL — The city of Mt. Vernon accepted a quote from Municipal Emergency Service (MES) to purchase SCBA fill stations for the Mt. Vernon Fire Department Station 1 and Fire Station 4.

Mt. Vernon Fire Chief Kevin Sargent says MES became a single source supplier during the coronavirus pandemic which allowed for an opportunity to save money on necessary repairs to these fill stations.

The Council also waived bidding to enter into an agreement with Stryker to purchase new cardiac monitors for the Fire Department. Chief Sargent says not only will they save money by going through another single source supplier, but the monitors will be brand new.

Chief Sargent says these two approvals make the city of Mt. Vernon safer because the fire department can be more efficient in re-filling equipment post-emergency as well as having the best equipment on the market to save lives.