Last week, I posted about City Council's end of the fiscal year spending spree. If you read the old post, you'll see that I took a dig at Councilman Mike Sullivan's (District E) gift to the Houston Fire Department for saws. Well, my editors encouraged me to find out what the saws were used for -- after all, maybe the saws were needed, as opposed to being an over-the-top gift.

I was able to track down Captain Karen DuPont of the Houston Fire Department, to find out just what kind of saws were purchased and where they went. Here's what she had to say by e-mail:

As soon as the saws hit the door they were put into service. ...[The chainsaws] are especially useful in clearing debris following a storm to facilitate accessing an emergency scene.

Cut Off saws are primarily used by Ladder Companies to create an entry point for search, rescue and fire extinguishment operations. Cut Off saws cut through metal doors, burglar bars, metal gates, [etc].

The Quick Vent saws are a Ladder Operations tool. This saw is designed to create ventilation holes in roofs to facilitate search, rescue and fire extinguishment.

Captain DuPont also told me that the department is "delighted when these opportunities" happen. According to her, Councilman Sullivan approached the department about any needs they had, and well, saws it was and saws it is.

Also, here's what the saws cost (from Councilman Sullivan's chief of staff):

Purchased 3 of 14" cutoff saw- portable for $708.97 each, extended cost of 2126.91

Purchased 10 of 18" Chain saw- portable for $312.77 each, extended cost of 3127.70

Purchased 4 of 80cc Quickvent Saw-portable for $1100.00, extended cost of 4,400.00