"Some of our members can't enter structures to fight interior fires because of their outdated gear," said Fire Chief William Hall. "This grant will greatly help our members provide the best possible service to the community."

Georgia-Pacific awarded $170,000 in grants to fire departments this year. Officials say it's also the 10th anniversary of the Bucket Brigade. Over the years, Georgia-Pacific has given more than $2 million in cash and educational materials to fire departments across the country.

"Over the 10 years of our Bucket Brigade program, I'm proud that we've awarded 335 grants, representing more than 270 fire departments in our facility communities," said Jim Hannan, chief executive officer and president of Georgia-Pacific. "Our goal since the program began has been to help first responders have the equipment they need to better protect themselves, and help keep our communities safe."

Officials say grants ranged from $2,500 to $10,000 this year. They say grands are need based and are funded by Georgia-Pacific Foundation and local Georgia-Pacific facilities. Georgia-Pacific gives all grant applicants free memberships to The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), which provides access to tools, resources, programs and advocacy for first responders across the nation.

It is a 2016 KME mounted on a Ford F-550 chassis with a Ford 6.7 light power stroke diesel engine and a 1,250-gallons per minute midship Hale fire pump. It holds 300 gallons of water and 10 gallons of class A foam.

The fire department took possession of the vehicle in late September.

Known as vehicle 720, the mini-pumper will do everything a larger pumper will do, Olthof said. “It’s set up for quick attack.”

The vehicle is set up with LED lights, which don’t need a generator to run them. It also has regulators on the controls so you don’t have to use up manpower monitoring the controls, the chief said.

“That’s important with less help available during the day,” Olthof said.

The mini-pumper backs up the department’s medical vehicle, has a foam system and is also set up for grass fires.

Olthof said the smaller vehicle is also easier to maneuver around narrower roads such as in areas along the North Shore.

Ferrysburg also replaced a 20-year-old first responder medical unit, a Suburban, last March.

But time has taken its toll and the truck is badly in need of mechanical and body repairs.

So fire department fans started raising funds several years ago to Save the ’28, with a goal of $10,000.

“It’s going to fix the fire engine which is really dinged up and needs a new engine,” said Kathleen Thompson, a board member of the Grapevine Citizens’ Fire Academy Alumni.

At a fundraising dinner Friday night, they were told they met their goal.

“We made our goal of $10,000, thanks to dozens of generous donors and event attendees,” Thompson said. “Some wrote large checks. Some elementary school children donated allowance money. And we are grateful for every dollar.”

Outback Steakhouse catered the steak/chicken dinner with two dinner seatings at Fire Station One at 601 Boyd Drive.

Thompson said the restoration efforts are rewarding because the truck is “part of Grapevine heritage.”

When the 1928 Model A Ford was purchased, the only fire station was downtown. The town probably had about 35 volunteer firefighters then.

Now there are five stations and 110 fire and administrative personnel, Deputy Fire Chief Mark Ashmead said.

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/courier-journal/article110306692.html

Read more

• 397
• 0
• Article rating: No rating

New Safety Device for Fire Trucks Could Save Lives

Posted: Oct 26, 2016

New Safety Device for Fire Trucks Could Save Lives

On Tuesday, the St. Paul Fire Department announced a new device that will prevent fire trucks from backing over and killing someone. St. Paul Fire Captain Jovan Palmieri invented a device, Backsafe System, after the death of 79-year-old Margaret Kuehn.

Kuehn was killed in 2009 when a St. Paul ambulance was backing down an alley. She walked into the path and was backed over.

Her family members were present Tuesday knowing that much of the inspiration for the technology came from her death.

“You know the loss of my mom was devastating to our family,” said Lisa Kline, Margaret Kuehn’s daughter. “I also recognize how hard it is for the firehouse and whole department and I’m just very happy to hear that they’re embracing this technology and their going to get it installed and hopefully prevent this from happening in the future.”

The first Backsafe System is being donated and installed on Medic 19, the same unit that hit and killed Kuehn.

Fire Chief Tim Butler hopes to have it installed on all 70 city rigs within the next three years.

Read More at KSTP TV

Read more

• 412
• 0
• Article rating: No rating