FPS staff report
April 7, 2009
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| Carrollton Village firefighter Targan Peterson (above) uses the spreader to remove the door of a Jeep. This was the first time Peterson had the opportunity to actually use the jaws of life. “I held the old set and they required two people to hold and operate them. This new set works very well and one person can handle them,” he explained. |
Six area fire departments received grants and have taken or will take possession of new equipment.
Bergholz, Carroll County, Fox Twp. and Leesville Fire Departments were awarded grants totaling over $330,500 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighter’s Grants (AFG) program. Carrollton Village and Perrysville Fire Departments received a grant through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP).
Bergholz Volunteer Fire Department received a grant for $96,995 for operations and safety. Chief John Marsh said the department purchased 12 new high pressure self-contained breathing apparatuses, face pieces for individuals and spare cylinders along with 13 portable radios.
A portion of the money will go toward fire prevention, possibly for smoke detectors. Marsh said, “The ‘Kidsmart Vocal Smoke Detector’ allows parents to record their own voice to wake their children up when the smoke detector goes off. Studies have found these are 70 percent more effective at waking children than regular smoke alarms,” stated Marsh. “We are also looking into the possibility of purchasing strobe style smoke detectors for the hearing impaired.”
Fox Twp. Volunteer Fire Department received $9,766 to purchase 20 sections of one and three-fourths inch and three inch hose, each along with a hose monitor and two nozzles.
Leesville Volunteer Fire Department purchased new SCBA’s and a set of Hurst Rescue Tools (Jaws of Life) with the $52,625 they received. Captain Steve Gartrell said, “We had a one-vehicle crash about a week after we received the jaws. They have already paid for themselves.”
Carroll County Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. was awarded $171,190 with a five percent match to purchase a 3,000-gallon pumper-tanker truck. The 750-gallon per minute truck will replace a 1984, 2,700 gallon AM General tanker and is expected to arrive in September. A portion of the grant money will be used for an Emergency Vehicle Operators Course that combines classroom and practical skills training course covers safety, legal aspects, inspection and driver responsibilities. Chief Jack Swinehart explained, “The EVOC class is mandated by the Federal government to help reduce accidents. Statistics show vehicle accidents are the number two killer of firemen.”
CCVFD also received three Automated External Defibrillators (AED) through a grant from Philips HeartStart Giving Program sponsored by Philips Healthcare. The three AEDs were placed in the engine, grass truck and one remains at the firehouse in the meeting room. For more information regarding this program, visit http://www.healthcare.philips.com/us/products/resuscitation/heartstart_giving. wpd.
Carrollton Village Fire Department took possession of a new set of TNT Rescue Tools (jaws of life) March 5. The tools are made in the U.S.A. and include cutters, spreaders, rams, a pump and accessories. These tools are worth over $20,000. The department received training on the rescue tools the evening they were delivered. They responded March 7 to a two-vehicle accident at SR 43 and Arrow Rd. where they used the new set of jaws to extricate one of the drivers.
Assistant Chief Bill Wells stated, “They are excellent tools. These new jaws are faster than our old set which is an asset and are easier to handle and hook-up.” Adam Georskey, a factory representative, trained members of the department on use of the tool and accessories. Each member in attendance had an opportunity to use the tools on a Jeep Cherokee donated by B&W Auto. “We have used these twice since we received them. I really just can’t say enough good about the tools and training the department received,” stated Wells.
Perry Twp. Volunteer Fire Department received a 1986 Chevrolet four-wheel drive Blazer first responder unit from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry. The Blazer was awarded through the U.S. Department of Defense Fire Fighter Property (FFP) Program. This program helps local fire departments obtain important fire-fighting equipment they would be unable to obtain due to limited budgets.
The Blazer had an original value of $32,900 and was awarded at no charge to the department. Once the vehicle has been placed into active service and is certified by the Division of Forestry, Perry Twp. will assume complete ownership. Equipment offered through this program includes fire engines, tankers, hoses, nozzles, protective clothing and other safety equipment.
Through a CEDAP grant, Perry Twp. was also awarded a set of TNT Rescue Tools including cutters, spreaders, rams, a pump and accessories. The tools were delivered April 4 and members were trained on a vehicle donated by B&W Auto.
The AFG program is an effort of the Federal government to ensure the provision of a solid foundation for local fire and emergency response services. These grants help to ensure the nation’s firefighters have the basic tools and resources necessary to safely perform their responsibilities, save lives and continue to protect residents from fire. More information can be found at www.firegrantsupport.com.
CEDAP helps with the equipment needs of small departments who are limited by their budgets. Since the program began in 2005, Homeland Security has provided around 5,800 assistance awards worth more than $103 million to fund equipment and training for fire departments, other first responders and law enforcement. |
