Ilwaco Fire Department nets FEMA grant
Friday, August 29, 2008 11:38 PM PDT
By The Daily News
Printable version
E-mail this articleThe Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded a $9,500 Assistance-to-Firefighters Grant to the Ilwaco Fire Department.
The grant will be used to purchase a thermal imaging camera, which senses heat and can help firefighters rescue people from burning buildings.
“Actually, this is the fourth time we’ve applied (to FEMA), and this is the first time we’ve gotten one,” Fire Chief Tom Williams said. “We thought we were a shoo-in last year after losing our fire station and equipment, but we didn’t get anything.”
In November 2006, the Ilwaco fire station and much of the department’s equipment was destroyed by fire --- “all except one engine and a brush rig,” said Gary Forner, who wrote the grant applications.
An engine, a 1956 Ford parade engine, the port trailer, which firefighters use at the marina, an ambulance, all the turnout gear and historical records were destroyed in the fire, Forner said.
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