The Excelsior Springs City Council recently approved the purchase of new bunker gear and tasers for the city’s first responders to aid in their services of keeping the city safe. Fire Chief Joe Maddick presented the council with the approval of purchase consideration for 18 sets of new bunker gear. Maddick explained the fire department’s current gear is uncomfortable and that purchasing 18 sets would give first responders two sets of gear a piece. The new gear will total $48,096, $4,000 more expensive than the previous gear. “Honestly, I think it’s worth the additional $4,000,” he said. Funding for the new gear is through the Department of Public Safety 50/50 grant totaling $40,000. Since the amount of the grant is less than the initial cost of the gear, the department will use funds from the Department of Public Safety grant from the EMS department. “It will take the remaining balance from the allocated funds for more than 80% of the EMS grant,” he said. The council voted…