According to a report from NewsOfOrangeCounty, the Caldwell (NC) Fire Department (CFD) recently received a zero-interest $400,000 loan to assist in purchasing a new front-live fire apparatus. Piedmont Electric Cooperative is also helping play a role in the purchase by facilitating a loan funded from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program.

The new apparatus will replace the department’s 1994 front-line engine and increase life- and property-saving assistance across the CFD’s 45-square-mile district. The CFD is an all-volunteer agency with 38 total members and responds to approximately 260-330 calls per year.

CFD Chief Brad Allison said the front-line apparatus will serve as a primary on every structure fire as well as other calls. He said the department is now in the process of building its second fire station to better protect their citizens and lower ISO ratings.

The USDA’s REDLG program provides zero-interest funds from the federal government to local electric cooperatives, who then lend out the money to local entities for projects that support rural areas.

Over the past several years, Piedmont Electric has secured more than $14 million in USDA funding for the North Carolina counties of Orange, Alamance, Caswell, Durham, Granville, and Person. The funding went toward the purchase of fire apparatus and stations, ambulances, schools, a public library, and a Habitat for Humanity warehouse. As the funds are repaid, they are reloaned to help pay for future projects within communities served by Piedmont Electric.

The Port Leyden (NY) Fire Department has donated Engine 3 to its counterparts in the Clear Fork Volunteer (TN) Fire Department, reports wwnytv.com.

It all began with former Port Leyden firefighter Michael Roberts, who’s now with the Rugby-based department, the report notes. When he heard his former department was getting a new apparatus, he immediately made a call to inquire about its old engine’s plans.

To boot, the NY department threw in old equipment. The TN department’s current engine was also donated from a NY counterpart—though not Port Leyden, the report says.

Clear Fork says it will keep the apparatus as Engine 3 out of respect for Port Leyden’s generosity.

The Port Leyden (NY) Fire Department has donated Engine 3 to its counterparts in the Clear Fork Volunteer (TN) Fire Department, reports wwnytv.com.

It all began with former Port Leyden firefighter Michael Roberts, who’s now with the Rugby-based department, the report notes. When he heard his former department was getting a new apparatus, he immediately made a call to inquire about its old engine’s plans.

To boot, the NY department threw in old equipment. The TN department’s current engine was also donated from a NY counterpart—though not Port Leyden, the report says.

Clear Fork says it will keep the apparatus as Engine 3 out of respect for Port Leyden’s generosity.

Clayton is mourning the death of its fire chief, who also served as the town manager. The Clayton Fire Company released the following statement about the passing of Chief John Pridemore:

The Clayton Fire Company regrets to announce the passing of Fire Chief John M. Pridemore. Chief Pridemore was injured in a fall at the station on March 7, 2022 while conducting station clean up duties. Chief Pridemore died on March 8, 2022 at the Christiana Hospital.

Chief Pridemore joined the Clayton Fire Company in January 1991 as a regular member “stating he wanted to serve the community he lived in”.

Chief Pridemore Served the Clayton Fire Company in many offices, the most recent as fire chief from 2021 to the present. Chief Pridemore served as vice president of the fire company in 2008 and 2012 and served as president from 2009-2011, he also served as company secretary in 2007. Chief Pridemore served as a fire lieutenant in 2013 and 2014, fire captain in 2015 and 2017, 1st Assistant Chief 2016 and 2018. In 2019 and 2020 he served as Deputy Chief and was elected chief in 2021.

Chief Pridemore’s service extended beyond his community, he served as the president of the Kent County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association in 2013 and Chief Pridemore served his county in the Delaware National Guard as a military police officer. Chief Pridemore was a third degree mason with the Smyrna Lodge.

Chief Pridemore is survived by his wife Kimberly, his daughter Amanda and her significant other Jorden, and son Michael, and his granddaughter Sadie. Chief Pridemore was currently employed by the Town of Clayton as the Town Manager.

The Clayton Fire Company has been placed out of service until the services have been completed and the fire district will be covered by fire companies in Delaware and Maryland giving the Clayton members time to decompress and prepare for the services. The members of the Clayton Fire Company would like to take every company who has reached out to offer their services.

Details of his services at this time are not complete and will be sent once confirmed.

The family request any donations be made to the Clayton Fire Company PO Box 1050 Clayton, DE in Chief Pridemore’s memory.

Clayton is mourning the death of its fire chief, who also served as the town manager. The Clayton Fire Company released the following statement about the passing of Chief John Pridemore:

The Clayton Fire Company regrets to announce the passing of Fire Chief John M. Pridemore. Chief Pridemore was injured in a fall at the station on March 7, 2022 while conducting station clean up duties. Chief Pridemore died on March 8, 2022 at the Christiana Hospital.

Chief Pridemore joined the Clayton Fire Company in January 1991 as a regular member “stating he wanted to serve the community he lived in”.

Chief Pridemore Served the Clayton Fire Company in many offices, the most recent as fire chief from 2021 to the present. Chief Pridemore served as vice president of the fire company in 2008 and 2012 and served as president from 2009-2011, he also served as company secretary in 2007. Chief Pridemore served as a fire lieutenant in 2013 and 2014, fire captain in 2015 and 2017, 1st Assistant Chief 2016 and 2018. In 2019 and 2020 he served as Deputy Chief and was elected chief in 2021.

Chief Pridemore’s service extended beyond his community, he served as the president of the Kent County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association in 2013 and Chief Pridemore served his county in the Delaware National Guard as a military police officer. Chief Pridemore was a third degree mason with the Smyrna Lodge.

Chief Pridemore is survived by his wife Kimberly, his daughter Amanda and her significant other Jorden, and son Michael, and his granddaughter Sadie. Chief Pridemore was currently employed by the Town of Clayton as the Town Manager.

The Clayton Fire Company has been placed out of service until the services have been completed and the fire district will be covered by fire companies in Delaware and Maryland giving the Clayton members time to decompress and prepare for the services. The members of the Clayton Fire Company would like to take every company who has reached out to offer their services.

Details of his services at this time are not complete and will be sent once confirmed.

The family request any donations be made to the Clayton Fire Company PO Box 1050 Clayton, DE in Chief Pridemore’s memory.