The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) announced yesterday that Oceanside has been invited to apply for Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) funding for the Fire Station No. 1 relocation project. Only 13 projects nationwide and among US Territories received this invitation.  

The DCIP grant will provide up to $3.5 million to help offset the costs of constructing the new Fire Station, to be located at 602 Civic Center Drive. Total construction costs, including 20% contingency are estimated at $18.6 million. The project is partially funded by proceeds from Measure X, which was approved by Oceanside voters in November 2018 and implements a ½ cent sales tax for seven years to fund public safety programs, infrastructure improvements, road repairs and aid for homelessness. The project is expected to go to bid later this year.

“The approved Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) grant funding to update Fire Station 1 is excellent news,” said Rep. Mike Levin. “The existing fire station constructed in 1929 lacks the ability to house apparatuses adequate enough to serve the growing downtown area of Oceanside and the adjacent area of Camp Pendleton. I’m proud of the efforts taken, including my letters of support pushing for DCIP to secure this funding, that is critical to both the safety of the firefighters and the surrounding communities they protect.”   

Oceanside’s close proximity to and excellent working relationship with Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, specifically the Fire Department, played a key role in achieving the grant funding. The grant will enhance public safety and resilience for both Oceanside and MCB Camp Pendleton. As noted in the City’s pre-application, “This project will enhance the installation’s resiliency, as measured by the sustained capability to utilize available resources to respond to, withstand, and recover from adverse situations. Resilience is the ability to prepare for hazards, adapt to changing conditions, and withstand or recover rapidly from disruptions. The development and maintenance of robust fire and life safety functions are key parts of building and maintaining resilience.”  

Oceanside’s existing Fire Station 1, located at 714 Pier View Way, was constructed in 1929, making it one of the nation’s oldest working firehouses. The existing facilities do not meet current essential facility building code requirements and cannot accommodate additional staff or equipment. 

The new Fire Station will be a state-of-the-art facility with sufficient space to house an engine company, an ambulance and a truck company, as well as the flexibility to house a Battalion Chief. This is the City’s closest fire station to the Main Gate at Camp Pendleton, located only 2.3 miles away. In the event of a major fire or emergency, resources from Oceanside Fire Station 1 will quickly respond and assist. Having a ladder truck and Battalion Chief available to respond from this station would be integral in the event of a structure fire or major emergency. In addition, the new station will house a training room that will allow both Oceanside and Camp Pendleton fire and public safety staff to update their skills.

Greenfield firefighters have moved into a temporary fire station and an 85-year-old fire station will be sealed for abatement, reports Greenfield Recorder.

The City Council previously approved $17.3 million for both the temporary and permanent stations, with roughly $2 million being designated for the temporary fire station.

The temporary fire station is expected to be in use for two years. That complex has two dorm buildings, which include a kitchen and meeting area and two apparatus bays. During that time, a new fire station will be built.

Deka Lake & District Volunteer Fire Department held a push-in ceremony to welcome a new fire truck, reports 100 Mile Free Press.

The fire department posted to Facebook, “This truck is a huge step forward from what is in our present fleet of emergency vehicles. State of the art technology is “built in” to this beauty of a truck. We can now carry 4 additional firefighters for a total of 6 in one vehicle, including the driver/operator. Climate control throughout for the comfort of operator & firefighters while at a scene, in all seasons. All of the technology allows for quicker operational times and ease of use .Thank-you Deka Lake & Sulphurous Lake and district residents for all your support in allowing for this new addition to YOUR fire hall, to happen. A video is being edited and will be posted soon. This video shows the members of the DLVFD continuing the tradition of “pushing” the new engine into its docking bay for the first time. With the help of Chief Al Boyce behind the wheel for some much needed help. This tradition was started as a salute to the early firefighters who had horse drawn fire wagons, and where after the teams of horses were unhitched and put into their stalls, the fire wagons were then pushed back into their bays to be ready for the next time they were needed. And so the tradition is continued and honored.”

MSA, DuPont, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are helping volunteer fire departments obtain much-needed gear through MSA’s and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway. Now in its tenth year, the program has provided over $1 million worth of gear to assist volunteer fire departments in need. In 2021, 13 departments will each receive four sets of turnout gear and four helmets to help enhance the safety of their firefighters. The first 500 applicants also received a one-year NVFC membership, courtesy of MSA.

The latest recipients of MSA’s and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway are the Geneva (AL) Volunteer Fire Department and Hope (IN) Volunteer Fire Department.

Geneva Volunteer Fire Department

The Geneva Volunteer Fire Department (GVFD) is an all-volunteer department located in rural southern Alabama near the border with Florida. GVFD’s 22 members protect a population of 26,270 over 100 square miles, responding to an average of 120 calls annually.

Of the 30 sets of turnout gear GVFD has, only five are less than 10 years old, meaning the rest are out of NFPA compliance. The department relies on a tobacco tax to purchase new gear, yet this source of income has dwindled year after year due to declining smoking rates. The local government is unwilling to raise taxes to provide GVFD with an alternative source of funding, and donations and fundraisers alone are not enough to cover both day-to-day operations and new gear.

“Due to the costs involved, large ticket items such as turnout gear are unfortunately beyond our financial reach,” said fire chief Ben Latimer, noting that the donation was their only hope for obtaining the much-needed gear. “Thank you for your support of our volunteer firefighters who proudly protect the residents of Geneva, AL.”

Hope Volunteer Fire Department

Located in rural central Indiana, the Hope Volunteer Fire Department (HVFD) is an all-volunteer department made up of 30 members. Serving a population of approximately 3,600 over 26 square miles, HVFD responds to an average of 425 calls annually. The department is committed to working with the town to ensure everyone has a safe living environment and is doing what it can to keep its firefighters safe.

HVFD only has eight sets of turnout gear that are in compliance with NFPA 1851, and many of these are nearing their expiration date as well. The department is striving to replace the outdated gear to make every member NFPA compliant for the next 10 years. However, they recently had to build a new fire station to replace a century-old building as well as purchase a piece of fire apparatus to replace one deemed unrepairable. With the payments on these items along with operating expenses, there is little left for other big purchases such as the new gear they need.

The donation of four sets of Globe turnout gear and four helmets will go a long way in helping HVFD reach its goal to make sure all firefighters have sufficient protection to do their job safely. “HVFD will place the new turnout gear into use immediately upon the completion of a compliant training program,” said assistant fire chief Christopher Allen.

Additional awards will be made monthly throughout 2021. Stay tuned to the NVFC web site, Dispatch newsletter, and Facebook and Twitter pages, as well as the Read more

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