Pullman Fire departments receive grants

Gazette intern reporter

Local volunteer rural and the City of Pullman fire departments have each received Federal Emergency Management Agency grants.

Fire District 12 received a quarter of a million dollars, and Pullman fire department received three-quarters of a million.

“This is great news for our department, and I want to personally thank our department's grant writing committee for their efforts in securing this grant,” said Mike Heston, Pullman fire chief.

The funds the volunteer department received is close to the amount the fire department receives each year from its tax levy from the county. Funds will be used to replace air packs which volunteers must wear when fighting structure fires and any cases where hazardous materials are present. The grant will purchase 38 new packs. District 12's current air packs are about 20 years old.

The new packs will include wireless technology that will allow commanders access to firefighters’ locations within a fire as well as their air levels. District 12 will contribute $12,000 on a local match to help pay for the new packs.

In addition, the new Bluetooth air packs will allow for better communication when fire fighters wear their masks and will last up to 45 minutes of air supply, unlike the current air packs that currently last only 30 minutes.

Heston said the Pullman Fire Department will use grant funds to replace the department's self-contained breathing tanks that are 15 years old. It will also pay for 80 portable radios.

There will also be five Rapid Intervention Team air packs (RIT) that supply special air in safety packs used for rescue, and contain an hour's worth of air.

The total budget for the grant was $758,058 and the federal contribution was $689,144. The additional 10 percent local match of $68,914 was approved by the Pullman City Council July 12.