(Friendship, IN) – Just in time for Fire Prevention Week, the Friendship Volunteer Fire Department is one of 100 volunteer fire departments across the country to receive a $10,000 grant through the State Farm Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program.
The department will use the money to purchase a washer that cleans turnout gear following structure and vehicle fires.
Fire officials say dangerous by-products of combustion cover their protective gear. These by-products contain a number of known carcinogens, and cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the fire service. Officials say it is critical that every action possible is taken to protect volunteers.
“We are proud to serve our communities and be there to help our neighbors on what might be the worse day of their life. This project will help protect our volunteers and reduce what might well be a preventable risk,” said Chief Keith Sieverding. “We would like to sincerely thank the National Volunteer Fire Council and State Farm for this grant and supporting our efforts in Friendship and the surrounding area.”
The Friendship Volunteer Fire Department serves a large portion of Brown Township in Ripley County and all of Caesar Creek Township in Dearborn County.
Its volunteers respond to a wide variety of emergencies including medical; motor vehicle accidents, and brush/grass, vehicle and structural fires. The department provides mutual aid to other agencies in Ripley and Dearborn counties, along with Ohio, Switzerland and Jefferson counties.
The insurance giant has awarded $1 million in grants, in collaboration with the National Volunteer Fire Council, to help local fire departments obtain needed equipment to increase their responders’ safety, effectiveness and ability to serve their community.
Fire Prevention Week began Sunday and runs through Saturday.
