The City of Bernie's emergency services personnel received some good news Monday night at Bernie's monthly city council meeting.

Bernie Police Chief John Moore announced to the board members that the City of Bernie has received an Emergency Management Agency grant in the amount of $17,955. The board then voted unanimously to use the grant money to purchase, at the request of Moore, new communication radios for the police department. The radios currently being used by the police department that will be replaced, will then be passed on to whichever Bernie emergency service agency needs the radios the most.

The EMA grant is a 100-% paid grant, meaning that the city or police department is not required to match any funds from the grant. The city will spend the grant amount of $17,955, out of city funds to purchase the emergency equipment (radios) and then be reimbursed by the Emergency Management Agency.

Not to be left out, the Bernie Volunteer Fire Department also received positive news Monday night. The fire department ended their search for a cascade system when board members gave their approval to purchase a used system from the Dexter Fire Department.

A cascade system is used to fill a self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) tank with breathable air. That air is used by firefighters when a situation arises that the ambient air in a work area is unhealthy, such as inside a burning home or a hazardous material situation.

Bernie will pay $2625 to the Dexter Fire Department for the cascade system. Approximately, $500 additionally will be spent on a regulator and fittings to complete the system.

Having a cascade system in-house will eliminate the necessity of having a person take used SCBA tanks to Dexter for refilling of breathable air after each use.

Among other topics of interest from the council meeting, Board Members voted to let Mayor James Tilmon execute a new contract with Lemons Landfill for city trash disposal.

Malden Roofing was awarded the job of hot mopping the roof of the City Hall building. They submitted a bid of $875 and were the only bid received by the city.

The next regular board meeting will be held on September 10, in the Bernie Municipal Courtroom.

Bobby Greer can be reached via email at bgreer@dailystatesman.com