Grants yield bonus for Tenn. fire departments

By Ron Clayton
Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee)
Copyright 2006 Chattanooga Publishing Company

COPPERHILL, Tenn. — The East Polk Fire and Rescue service soon will have its first new Class A fire engine in more than 10 years thanks to a grant from the federal Assistance to Firefighters program.

Department Chief Dale Ray said the award of $166,250 will give the department an engine that will be used to help protect the upper basin area of Polk County. He said the county received a smaller grant for an engine in 1991.

The grant is from the Department of Homeland Security and part of $91.8 million given to fire departments throughout the nation this year according to a news release from the Assistance to Firefighters program.

"The engine will carry at least 1,000 gallons of water and, depending upon the price, we may get a 1,500-gallon tank," Mr. Ray said. That would classify the new truck as an engine/tanker unit, he said.

Mr. Ray said the department will have to raise 5 percent in matching funds, but he doesn't anticipate difficulty coming up with the money.

The engine will be stationed at the Community Center station in Ducktown, Tenn. Mr. Ray said the department answers about 250 calls a year from its five stations.

Several other Southeast Tennessee departments received grants as well, according to the news release.

The South Pittsburg Mountain Volunteer Fire Department will receive $142,500 for vehicle acquisition, the release stated.

South Pittsburg Mountain Fire Chief Milton VanAllman said his department will buy a new pumper truck with the grant money.

"I've got a bid on my desk right now for a truck we want," Chief VanAllman said of the 1,000-gallon pumper he is considering. "The new truck will update our fleet by 45 years."

He said the new apparatus will replace a 1966 International truck.

According to the release, the Assistance to Firefighters grant program has provided $2.4 billion in grants to fire departments and first responder organizations since 2001.

AREA FIRE GRANTS

* East Polk Fire & Rescue, Copperhill: $166,250

* Red Bank Fire Department: $51,129

* Sequoyah VFD, Soddy-Daisy: $185,250

* Brockdell VFD, Pikeville: $180,500

* South Pittsburg Mountain VFD: $142,500

Source: Department of Homeland Security