By Emilee Shake
Two area fire departments will receive grants to help them with training and equipment.
Sen. Dick Lugar, R-Indiana, announced Thursday that the Washington Fire Department and the Loogootee Volunteer Fire Department will receive funds from the federal Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.
The state, according to a release from the senator’s office, will receive about $1.3 million in grants for fire departments.
“First responders are the backbone of our communities, and it is vital to ensure they have the proper equipment and training,” Lugar said in the release.
For Washington, $96,710 will be given from the federal government. Fire Chief David Rhoads said Thursday the money will be used to purchase new SCBA, or breathing gear, for the entire department.
“It will be for 16 complete units,” Rhoads said. “That’s new masks and new packs. It’s a whole complete system.”
Also with the new breathing system, cameras can be attached to the packs so fire commanders can watch outside on video and help assist. The new system will also include an apparatus that can help trapped victims.
The department will only have to pay a 5 percent match for the equipment and with budget cuts, the grant really helped, Rhoads said.
“It’s nice to get,” Rhoads said.
In Loogootee, the department will get $44,850 from the FEMA grant. Fire Chief Terry Pielemeier said the grant will be used to buy new turnout, or fire protection, gear.
“It’ll help outfit a lot of our personnel with new turnout gear,” Pielemeier said. “Last year, we got a grant that was used for a new fire truck.”
Pielemeier said it is unusual for two departments so close to each other to get federal grants, but he said his department can use the funds.
“(The grant award is) really good, and I’m really tickled about it,” Pielemeier said. “I’m really happy for Washington getting the air gear.”
