A recent lightning strike on the old radio tower at the Carthage Police and Fire Department building damaged several thousand dollars’ worth of equipment, city officials told commissioners Monday, PanolaWatchman.com reported.

A fire official, giving his quarterly update at the city commission meeting, said the old tower at the police and fire building took a direct lighting hit on Jan. 2 that affected “probably about $40,000 worth of computer electrical phone, ice machines, just a lot of equipment within the fire police building,” the report said.

A police official also noted some damage to the department’s recorder, costing about $25,000, according to the report.

City Manager Steve Williams told officials that the damage from the lightning strike has been covered by insurance, the report said.

Brookfield Renewable U.S. recently donated $8,000 to the Fulton Fire Department toward the purchase of a rapid deployment rescue boat and additional rescue equipment, said Fulton Fire Chief Adam Howard, OswegoCountyNewsNow.com reported.

According to the company’s website, Brookfield Renewable U.S. is a leading owner, operator and developer of renewable power, delivering innovative, renewable power solutions that accelerate the world towards a sustainable, low-carbon future.

A rapid deployment craft, or RDC, allows a rescuer or rescue team to quickly reach a victim and safely retrieve them from open or ice-covered water, the chief said.

In addition to the RDC, the donation helped purchase ropes, life vests, helmets, swiftwater rescue suits and more, the report said.

Dorchester County is spending millions to improve its firefighting infrastructure, which includes opening two fire stations this year, postandcourier.com reported.

The Ladson Fire and EMS Station on Ladson Road is being rebuilt after the old building was demolished in March 2022, the report said. The old Ladson Fire and EMS Station’s entrance didn’t face the road, but the new one will, a fire official said.

The $3.3 million project will hold up to 12 employees, including EMS, nine vehicles and other various equipment, according to the report.

The department hopes to move into the Ladson station in April or May.

The county recently finished working on a new volunteer fire station on Sandridge Road, near St. George, the report said. It will offer a level of service that didn’t exist before in the area, a fire official said. 

A state House bill, HB 1341, wouldn’t allow Indiana fire departments to purchase gear unless it has a label stating whether or not it contains PFAS, wfyi.com reported. The harmful chemicals are used in firefighters’ clothing and other equipment to keep them dry.

Among other things, exposure to PFAS has been linked to kidney cancer, problems with the immune system and developmental issues in children, the report said.

An official with the Professional Firefighters Union of Indiana said there are only a handful of companies that sell firefighting gear and all of them use PFAS. That’s why the national firefighters’ union is working to pass this kind of legislation in multiple states, the report said. To put pressure on the federal government to do some research and development and get these textile companies to start making PFAS-free gear, the official said, according to the report.

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