By Bill Byrd
FAIRMONT — Rivesville volunteer firefighters will soon have a dozen sets of new protective clothing or “bunker gear” and a dozen new self-contained breathing tanks, thanks to a federal grant from the Homeland Security Department.
Lt. Courtney Shaver of the Rivesville VFD wrote the grant application which resulted in an award of $81,966. Dennis Roy is the department’s chief.
“Last year we won a similar grant,” which enabled the department to buy a 1991 pumper-tanker truck. The truck replaced two other old fire vehicles, Shaver said.
U.S. Rep. Alan B. Mollohan praised the department, saying it deserves congratulations for submitting a quality application.
The grant was awarded as a result of a competitive process overseen by fire service experts, the congressman said in a statement.
The grant comes from a Homeland Security program called the Assistance to Firefighters Grant, he and U.S. Sens. Robert C. Byrd and Jay Rockefeller said.
The program will yield about $490 million for fire departments and emergency medical services across the nation, Rockefeller said.
“Firefighters are the backbone of public safety, and with this much-needed grant program now secure, they will be better equipped to protect the people of this community,” he said.
Byrd noted firefighters are increasingly responding to hazardous materials accidents and natural disasters. Byrd is chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He also chairs the panel’s Homeland Security Subcommittee.
E-mail Bill Byrd at bbyrd@timeswv.com
