Federal grants will help small fire departments get equipment

AIKEN --- Five volunteer fire departments in Aiken County have received hefty financial assistance through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Grants awarded to the Jackson, Montmorenci, Bath, Clearwater and Beech Island volunteer fire departments total more than $435,000. They are a slice of the more than $560 million to be distributed to fire departments across the country for training and equipment.

For volunteer fire departments, which rely primarily on fire-protection fees, such grants are vital.

The Clearwater Volunteer Fire Department will use its $237,975 grant to purchase its first new pumper truck in more than 25 years.

"Without the grant, we wouldn't be getting one," Chief Mike Toole said.

The new truck will be ready in about six months. Chief Toole will meet with the builder Monday "to go over the blueprints of the truck make sure the configurations, the compartments and everything is how we want it."

Chief Toole said the new truck doesn't have any of the "bells and whistles" of pumper trucks that cost about $500,000.

"It's not an elaborate truck," he said. "We got one that would accommodate our needs."

In accordance with the rules of the grant, the old pumper truck will be taken out of service and stripped of all fire equipment. The old truck cannot be sold or given to another fire department. Because the vehicle will still be able to pump water, the fire department plans on giving it to the local water department.

The Jackson Volunteer Fire Department received $18,050 to purchase a thermal imaging camera, which can be used to find victims trapped by a fire and to find hidden fires in a residence, and two multigas monitors, which can be used to check for hazardous gases.

"These items have never been owned by the Jackson Volunteer Fire Department," Fire Chief Jeremy Thorne said. "Without these funds, it may have been several years before we could have been able to purchase these all too important tools."

Bath Volunteer Fire Department will be purchasing self-contained breathing apparatuses and an air compressor with the $85,405 grant it received.

The breathing apparatuses are air packs worn by firefighters when they enter a dangerous environment. Fire Chief Sean Johnson said the grant is enough to purchase 10 air packs and upgrade its air compressor.

Montmorenci Volunteer Fire Department received $55,480, which will be used to purchase a new vehicle, and the Beech Island Fire Department will buy firefighting gear with its $38,713 grant.

Reach Michelle Guffey at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or michelle.guffey@augustachronicle.com.