A federal grant will help the Arcola Volunteer Fire Department buy badly needed equipment.
The grant will pay for 16 new air packs, a new compressor to fill those packs, a mobile system to fill air packs and face masks for the departments 34 volunteers, said Troy Tracy, fire chief.
The U.S. Fire Administration grant, which hasnt been formally announced yet, is worth $101,078, said Lin Wilson, grant administrator for Allen County.
We can use it very badly, Tracy said. The new equipment will make Arcolas equipment compatible with other departments when its called out to provide assistance.
The entire cost of the equipment will total $106,397, with Lake Township Trustee Dan Linnemeier kicking in $5,319, Wilson said. The Arcola department provides service for Lake Township.
I havent seen anything in print, but it sounds like its a go, Linnemeier said. He said its difficult for volunteer fire departments to find the money for large equipment, such as firetrucks, let alone the special equipment. The Arcola departments budget primarily is supported by its annual tractor pull, which nets $40,000 in a good year. The townships contribution this year is $24,000, but that still leaves a shortfall, Linnemeier said.
Were certainly going to treat it (the grant) with respect and put it to best use, Linnemeier said.
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