With the Damariscotta board of selectmen agreeing to a plan to purchase five new turnout suits for the fire department, the question turned to the old gear.

The board agreed, 3-0 (with Chairman Joshua Pinkham recusing himself) to purchase five new suits valued at $1,698 per set, and to allow Fire Chief John Roberts to get rid of the older suits.

The equipment will be donated to another agency, and he hopes that one will be nearby, Roberts said.

“It could be thrown away, but the alternative is to donate it,” he said. “I'd personally like to see it stay in the county.”

Should other agencies pass on the old equipment, it could find its way to developing nations, Roberts said. Several programs will take aging, but still operable equipment and ship it to departments where the gear is harder to come-by, Roberts said.

If it isn't donated, it will be sent to the transfer station.

Over time, the materials in the suits degrade and are less effective. While the National Fire Protection Association recommends changing suits over periodic intervals, the state of Maine doesn't have any such stipulations; as long as the suits are in good, working condition then they can remain in use, Roberts said.

But, the Damariscotta Fire Department would like to be in line with NFPA, Roberts said.