The Perry City Council on Monday approved the disposal of several pieces of unused or outdated equipment, including a 1980 Chevrolet Grundman step van that was used by the Underwater Search and Recovery Unit of the Fire Volunteer Fire Department prior to its dissolution about 2015.
The Underwater Search and Recovery Unit was launched in the spring 1974 following the drowning deaths of Peter G. Soumas, 19, beloved son of Perry personage George Soumas and Agnes Soumas, and Dana E. Rohner, 17, beloved son of Alfred and Martha Rohner of Perry.
The rescue unit acquired the step van in 1987 and used the former Snap-on Tools truck to pull a rescue boat and haul scuba divers and their equipment, including air tanks, wet suits, masks, fins, snorkels, inflatable life preservers, air hose regulators, lifelines, buoy markers, first aid kits, depth gauges, temperature gauges and an air pressure gauge.
The van will be sold on Purple Wave, the online auction service, according to Perry City Administrator Sven Peterson.
