S.C. state grant proposed to aid local fire departments

Copyright 2005 McClatchy Newspapers Inc. 
 
By MATT GARFIELD
The Herald (Rock Hill, S.C.)
 
Volunteers firefighters in the Chester County town of Richburg were battling a house fire recently when their efforts were slowed by a familiar problem: They ran out of air.

Precious minutes passed as they waited for fresh oxygen tanks to arrive from the nearby Fort Lawn station. The fire was soon put out, but the volunteers were again confronted with the frustration of having to do their jobs shorthanded on equipment.

For small, rural departments such as Richburg, help could come soon from state lawmakers. The S.C. House will consider a proposal next month to send grants of up to $ 30,000 each year to departments in need of gear such as air tanks, coats and new trucks.

For firefighters in Richburg, the plan would provide a breath of fresh air - literally.

"We do all these hot dog fundraisers, we sell barbecue, anything we can do to raise money," said Richburg Fire Chief John Agee. "We just kind of scrape by. The county helps us as best they can. This grant would help us that much more."

Dealing with tighter budgets

In rural areas that comprise much of South Carolina, volunteers are often first on the scene to emergencies. Their departments have traditionally relied on money from counties and, more recently, the federal Homeland Security Department. For many, annual cookouts and bake sales are important, too.

But in recent years, budgets have become tighter. Equipment costs have gone up. And gas prices have skyrocketed.

Volunteer firefighters are left feeling the pinch, even as their job demands have grown. That, says state Rep. Greg Delleney, is the impetus for the new proposal.

"It's impossible for volunteer fire departments to support themselves with barbecues as they did in the past," said Delleney, R-Chester, one of the bill's 30 co-sponsors. "We're expecting more out of them. With hazardous materials running up and down the highways and the railways, they're not just responding to homes anymore."

Among other local delegates, Rep. Herb Kirsh, D-Clover, also has   signed onto the bill.

The best approach?

While most area fire chiefs are happy for the help, others worry that doling out checks through a grant system isn't the best approach. Volunteers would ask for money from a board made up of firefighters from across the state.

Some smaller departments, says Fire Chief David Jennings, often aren't familiar with the nuances of applying for grants.

"Some of the people that really need a grant aren't always able ... to jump through all the hoops," said Jennings, head of the Flint Hill Fire Department in northern York County. "It takes a lot of effort. It can be frustrating. The money doesn't always make it to the neediest departments."

Lawmakers have sought to make the task easier by letting firefighters create their own application process. Advice on the process is also shared at firefighter functions held around the state, York Fire Chief Domenic Manera said.

"We have to educate ourselves," he said. "Grants (are) out there. You've just got to get them. If this gets approved, there will be a lot of departments applying for it."

Among the first in line will be the Lando Fire Department in Chester County, which is still using walkie-talkies from the early 1980s that are prone to problems, said Eddie Murphy, Chester County emergency management director. The proposal could help pay for replacements.

"Right now, we've got to stretch that dollar as far as we can," he said. "This is a good thing to hear."