Protecting first responders

The Pine Haven Volunteer Fire Department has been vigorously updating and upgrading their personal protective gear and vehicles as well as bringing in more volunteers over the last couple of years. This endeavor is expensive and the department is always moving forward with protecting those protecting the community.

To this end, the department again sought permission from council to seek grant funding from the Wyoming State Forestry. This grant provided many of the needed bunker gear for the firefighters last year and Chief TJ Gideon was able, with council’s approval, to apply again last week for a 50/50 matching $10,000 grant. The town’s matching $5000 will be provided from the department’s savings received from donations throughout the year.

Among the uses for which the money has been requested, respiratory bottles, masks and equipment for the command vehicle are high on the list.