Tampa to use Republican National Convention funds for new fire rescue vehicles

TAMPA — The City Council Thursday agreed to spend about $464,000 in federal funds appropriated for security at the Republican National Convention on two tactical vehicles for Tampa Fire Rescue.

The city is buying two specialized vehicles from Pierce Manufacturing: a tactical support vehicle for $296,496 and a truck for Tampa Fire Rescue's SWAT medic team for $167,740. Funds for both would come from $50 million that Congress appropriated to pay for security at the convention.

Council members approved the purchase unanimously and without discussion.

Both are expected to be built and delivered by mid July, and fire officials say each is integral to their plans for the Aug. 27-30 convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

The tactical support vehicle is a large van that can serve as a mobile command post and will be able to receive live aerial video from Tampa police helicopters. The second truck will be built for Tampa Fire Rescue's tactical medical response team, whose members are cross-trained as reserve police officers. They are trained to go into a variety of dangerous incidents and serve as the city's airborne, water and rough terrain rescue team.

Richard Danielson can be reached at Danielson@tampabay.com, (813) 226-3403 or @Danielson_Times on Twitter.