The
Sherborn Fire Rescue department continues to
expand its capabilities and services at minimal
cost to
the taxpayers by aggressively pursuing grant
money and utilizing the time and expertise
of its volunteers.
The
Sherborn Fire Rescue Department has just received
a $15,000 Firefighting Safety Grant from
the State of Massachusetts.
This grant will be used to purchase protective clothing,
new air packs (SCBA), firefighter safety equipment
and other equipment that will enhance our
capabilities to
respond to acts of terrorism.
The
Sherborn Fire Rescue Department was also awarded a $24,318
grant from the “2002 Assistance to Firefighters Grant
Program” which was sponsored by Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) and the United States Fire
administration.
This was a competitive grant process and only 5,000
of the 19,000 communities that applied for funding
will
receive grant money.
The
Sherborn Fire Rescue Department will use the Federal
grant money to purchase and equip a basic hazmat-
special operations trailer. This had been
identified as a strong
need by our department, and we had pursued the purchase
of this equipment as a special warrant article for
the past few years. This new hazmat - special
operations
trailer will allow us to have the appropriate equipment
to handle basic spill containment and hazmat operations
which will help us protect our groundwater supply.
Eventually we look to expand the equipment
on this trailer to handle
other types of special operations. We would like
to thank the prior Fire Chief, John Burke,
for his efforts in
aggressively pursuing this grant.
The
department has also recently completed the total
rehabilitation of Engine 5, an existing brush
truck, into a multi-purpose
brush and utility truck. This was accomplished through
many hours of donated labor and proceeds from the
sales of outdated fire equipment ($9,900)
and contributions
from the Sherborn Fire and Rescue Association ($12,500).
We would like to thank Deputy Chief Ronald Buckler
for overseeing this project and all of the
town and department
members who donated their time and expertise.
In
addition, we are working on the rehabilitation of
a 5-ton military vehicle that was given to
the town in 2002 as
part of a federal surplus program. This vehicle will
be converted into a large off-road brush truck, and
it will greatly enhance our ability to fight
brush fires.
We
would like to thank the town for their continued
support, and point out that the above efforts
have saved the town
in excess of $61,700, not including the countless
hours of donated labor. Please feel free
to call the department
with any questions, and we look forward to serving
you.
