(Ripley County, IN) — Five Ripley County volunteer fire departments are getting new equipment and safety upgrades through the first round of a countywide grant program designed to strengthen emergency response.
The Ripley County Community Foundation announced Thursday that Friendship, New Marion, Osgood, Versailles and Sunman Rural fire departments have each received $10,000 through the new Fire Readiness & Resilience Grant Program.
The program will provide a total of $100,000 to Ripley County’s 10 volunteer fire departments, with funding made possible by the Ripley County Council.
“This grant program is a powerful example of what can happen when local government and community organizations work together toward a shared goal,” Ripley County Community Foundation Executive Director Amy Streator said.
The grants are intended for critical operational needs, including personal protective equipment, firefighter safety gear and equipment needed to maintain National Fire Protection Association standards.
WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING
The first $50,000 in awards will pay for projects ranging from new protective gear to safer equipment on fire trucks:
Friendship Volunteer Fire Department: $10,000 to replace aging tires on three emergency response vehicles. The foundation said the project will reduce the risk of tire failure while crews are responding to or returning from emergencies.
New Marion Volunteer Fire Department: $10,000 for 18 NFPA-compliant firefighting helmets and seven pairs of structural firefighting boots.
Osgood Volunteer Fire Department: $10,000 for Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus air cylinders, giving firefighters reliable access to breathable air during extended incidents.
Versailles Volunteer Fire Department: $10,000 for three sets of turnout gear to replace outdated equipment. The department responds to more than 600 emergency calls a year.
Sunman Rural Fire Department: $10,000 toward the purchase and installation of a remote-operated master stream apparatus on Engine 1118. The equipment will allow firefighters to operate the apparatus without having to work from atop the truck during hazardous conditions.
MORE THAN ONE DEPARTMENT BENEFITS
The impact of the grants is expected to extend beyond the communities receiving the individual awards.
Ripley County’s volunteer departments regularly provide mutual aid to one another for structure fires, major crashes, severe weather and other large-scale emergencies. That means safer equipment or improved capabilities at one department can benefit firefighters and residents across the county.
Steve Mathes, a Ripley County Community Foundation board member, said the investment by the County Council demonstrates a commitment to residents throughout Ripley County.
“These funds ensure that our local departments are better prepared today and more resilient for the future.”
MORE GRANTS EXPECTED
The first five awards account for half of the program’s $100,000 commitment.
The Community Foundation said it is reviewing an application involving the Morris and Milan volunteer fire departments and expects additional submissions from Holton/Otter Creek, Delaware and Napoleon volunteer fire departments.
Foundation officials said the program is designed to address essential equipment and safety needs rather than elective upgrades.
“By investing in equipment that protects our firefighters and improves emergency response, the Ripley County Council has demonstrated a commitment to every resident of Ripley County,” Mathes said.
For more information about the Ripley County Community Foundation, call (812) 933-1098 or visit rccfonline.org.
