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Va. Dept. Gets Grant For Custom-Built Fire Boat

Feb. 8, 2012

Poquoson Fire and Rescue this week will replace an aging fire boat with a new custom-built boat paid for with a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Source Daily Press, Newport News, Va.

Feb. 07--POQUOSON -- Poquoson Fire and Rescue this week will replace an aging fire boat with a new custom-built boat paid for with a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Poquoson Fire and Rescue Training Officer Joe Breeden said the fire department was awarded a $283,250 Port Security Grant to upgrade its old fire boat. Breeden said the city bought the old boat about 10 years ago at a state surplus sale. The boat had previously been used by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.

Seattle-based company Northwind Marine built the new boat specifically for Poquoson Fire and Rescue, which includes a cabin and new equipment. Breeden said the boat cost $260,000. The remainder of the grant goes toward training for the fire department.

Breeden said Monday the boat was undergoing some last-minute maintenance to prepare the vessel for service. He said he anticipated the boat officially coming online by the end of the week.

Poquoson Fire Chief Robert Holloway said he has heard from citizens who concerned that local taxpayer dollars were used to buy the boat. He said that no city money was used; the entire cost of the boat was paid for with the federal grant.

"We want people to know we are doing everything we can to get grant money to improve services where we can," Holloway said.

Last year, a new fire boat purchased in York County became a campaign issue among candidates for the Board of Supervisors after citizens raised concerns that the boat was a frivolous expenditure. Like Poquoson, the York County boat was purchased with a federal Port Security Grant.