Morrell awarded money for equipment
DUNBAR TWP. – A $101,768 grant awarded to the Morrell Volunteer Fire Company from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security couldn’t have come at a better time of the year as they anxiously await the purchase of updated protective equipment, including a thermal imaging camera. Jim Daugherty, fire company president, said the funding will go toward the purchase of 24 uniforms consisting of a protective coat, helmet and pants along with 10 self contained breathing apparatus and spare bottles.
Daugherty said the uniforms would add to the fire company’s 12 sets purchased last year with its Relief Association monies.
“This will make it better for us to serve the community” said Daugherty.
The grant was secured though U.S. Rep. John Murtha (D-Johnstown) and awarded by the security department’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program for firefighter operations and training.
“The jobs of firefighters are often made more difficult by the need to operate on shoestring budgets with no room to buy the equipment that allows them to respond safely and efficiently,” Murtha said.
The fire company will also add a thermal imaging camera to its equipment purchase that will enable firefighters to detect a person’s location within a burning structure as well as fire between walls and hotspots that are hard to detect with the naked eye.
Daugherty added the camera can also be used in a search and rescue situation, because it detects body heat. “It becomes sophisticated eyes,” he said.
Last but not least, Daugherty said the remaining funding would be used by the department to buy portable hand equipment such as forcible entry tools and nozzles for attack on a fire scene.
According to Daugherty, the price of masks has also significantly increased over the years from $500 to $4,000. However, the latest versions are equipped with features that allow firefighters to share air and they have the capability to give off a beeping sound if someone is running low on oxygen or in trouble.
“We’ve applied for (this) grant for a long time and finally got it,” said Daugherty.
In addition to Morrell, fire companies from Fallowfield Township and Summerhill Borough also received a portion of the overall grant.