Program Supports Tennessee’s Volunteer Fire Departments, Communities

NASHVILLE – To help support the lifesaving mission of the over 500 volunteer fire departments in Tennessee the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) announce that applications will be accepted starting Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, from volunteer fire departments for $1 million in grants through the Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training Grant Program.

Created by legislation approved by Governor Bill Lee and the General Assembly in 2019, the program earmarks monies for the purchase of firefighting equipment by Tennessee volunteer fire departments or to help volunteer departments meet local match requirements for federal grants for purchasing equipment. Grant proceeds may be used to purchase equipment used by firefighters to extinguish fires and protect the lives of firefighters (other than fire trucks or vehicles) or the grants may be used to help fire departments pay or reimburse the cost share for federal grants that have already been awarded.

The program’s initial launch in 2020 provided $500,000 in grants to 41 volunteer fire departments. For 2022, the program’s funding was increased to $1 million.

“We are grateful for the leadership of Governor Bill Lee and the General Assembly who increased the amount of funding to $1 million in order to help provide more support to Tennessee volunteer departments and their communities,” said Tennessee State Fire Marshal and TDCI Commissioner Carter Lawrence. “This program supports Governor Lee’s vision of strengthening Tennessee’s rural communities by providing more resources for our volunteer fire departments so that can help save lives and protect property.”

The grant program strengthens the SFMO’s ongoing commitment to saving lives, protecting property, and reducing fire fatalities across Tennessee.

Said TDCI Assistant Commissioner of Fire Prevention Gary Farley: “The majority of Tennessee’s firefighters are volunteers who willingly put their lives on the line for their communities for little or no compensation or recognition. It is incumbent on our team to provide those brave men and women with a way to acquire  reliable and effective firefighting equipment.”

Members of the Tennessee General Assembly were crucial in creating the program and increasing its funding from $500,000 to $1 million in 2022.

“Our firefighters are on the front lines and provide critical services to keep our communities safe,” said Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Mike Bell (R-Riceville). “These grants will help ensure they have the life-saving tools they need to do this heroic job safely and effectively. I look forward to continuing to see how these greatly needed funds will benefit our communities.”

Eligible fire departments must hold a valid recognition from the SFMO and have a staff comprised by less than 51% full-time career firefighters.

Applications received during the submission period will be scored internally and submitted to a seven-member committee who will oversee the award selection. The committee is composed of three representatives from the Tennessee Fire Chiefs Association, three representatives from the Tennessee Firemen’s Association, and TDCI’s Assistant Commissioner of Fire Prevention. Per statute, the funds will be awarded equally among Tennessee’s Grand Divis

Fire apparatus was involved in a fatal crash Wednesday morning in Magnolia. The crash, at the corner of White Horse Pike and Warwick Road, left two people dead, NBC6 reports.

The accident involved a fire engine and civilian vehicles. It happened at about 10:30 in the morning.

BRANDON, SD – January 19, 2022 – Spartan Emergency Response^®, a subsidiary of REV Group^® and leading manufacturer of fire apparatus, has announced it is building a 107’ Rear Mount Aerial with Smart Reach™ Multi-Stance™ technology for the Harrisburg Fire Department in North Carolina.

Smart Reach™ Multi-Stance™ is the patented new Smeal^® ladder and outrigger control system that offers increased versatility and functionality for today’s firefighters, including a 360-degree, no dead-zone functionality that can be adapted to the scene while maintaining full reach, and access to real-time data. The Multi-Stance™ technology allows the operator to set up the outriggers to any reach that the fire scene will accommodate. In addition, the Smart Reach™ control console offers the next generation of electric and hydraulic aerial controls, giving users the ultimate in smooth operation.

Harrisburg spent many hours researching and testing aerial products before deciding on the Smart Reach Aerial. “It wasn’t until we tested the Smart Reach Aerial that we came to appreciate all the technical innovations, functionality and capabilities this apparatus offers,” said Harrisburg Fire Chief Bryan Dunn. “Coupled with Smeal’s pedigree of aerial safety and stability, we immediately knew this apparatus would be a perfect fit that will effectively and efficiently meet the rigorous operational demands of our department.”

A loyal Spartan Chassis customer since 1993 and a Smeal customer since 2004, Harrisburg worked with the Smeal team and Atlantic Coast Fire Trucks in receiving real time drawings and 3D Cad schematics of previous apparatus to maintain safety and effectiveness continuity among its fleet. The latest safety features include the Spartan Advanced Protection System^® (APS), the Active Air Purification System, EZ Clean Cab Interior Surface, enhanced scene, and ground lighting, Bostrom Durawear washable seat covers and more.

“Spartan Emergency Response is honored to continue our long relationship with the Harrisburg Fire Department in serving their community,” said Chris Wade, Director of Sales at Spartan Emergency Response. “The department’s hands-on approach and feedback was a key part of our final design. Their trust in us has created an exciting partnership with the launch of our leading-edge Smart Reach Aerial and continuing our service to the town for another generation.”

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About Spartan Emergency Response

Spartan Emergency Response^®, comprised of REV Group subsidiaries Spartan Fire, LLC, Smeal SFA, LLC, Smeal LTC, LLC and Smeal Holding, LLC, is a North American leader in the emergency response market and offers brands including Spartan Authorized Parts, Spartan Factory Service Centers, Spartan Fire Chassis^®, Smeal^™, and Ladder Tower^™. Spartan Emergency Response vehicles a

Design work on two Clallam County (WA) Fire District 3 stations could commence in the next few months, reports sequimgazette.com.

Fire officials agreed to seek Statements of Qualifications from architects to design new structures for Station 31 in Dungeness and Station 33 in Carlsborg, according to the report.

The deadline for applications is February 17. The selected firm would “design, engineer, prepare plans, specifications, cost estimates, site and utility improvement drawings, and general construction documents,” according to a Scope of Work document.

Located at 4771 Sequim-Dungeness Way, Volunteer Station 31 was built in 1966 and hosts an All Hazard Alert Broadcast Tsunami siren. Its walls are cracking, and the foundation is amiss. The district agreed to purchase 1.9 acres on East Anderson Road in 2014 to relocate the building out of the tsunami and flood zone, the report says.

Design work shows it would cost about $700,000 for a new Dungeness Station—a proposed 60-by-50-foot building with two apparatus bays, an office, two bathrooms, and a general purpose room.

The district has explored selling the existing station outright, or selling it to a nonprofit like the North Olympic Salmon Coalition which helps preserve salmon in the Meadowbrook Creek near the facility, the report says.

With regards to Station 34 at 70 Carlsborg Rd., it was built in 1964 and continues to house three firefighters 24 hours a day. The plans would move it north to the training center at 255 Carlsborg Rd. on a 10-acre property, the report says.

The Scope of Work includes four drive-through bays, five bedrooms, and more space at about 10,250 square feet overall.

Fire commissioners agreed to budget about $375,000 for architectural and engineering plans for 2022 with Andrews saying securing architectural plans could make it easier to obtain grants.

Portland (TN) city council recently approved plans to spend more than $1.2 million to purchase a new fire engine and police cars, reports lebanondemocrat.com.

The apparatus and equipment would be purchased during the 2022-23 fiscal year at a max cost of $975,000, the report says.

Officials say the current ages of the department’s engines are 36, 20, and nine years old; its two ladder trucks are 30 and 10 years old.

The department has three outstanding loans, the report says, but by the end of 2024 there should be $95,000 in debt freed up. It’s also looking into grants to replace a ladder.