 Grants are awarded regularly from the state’s Fire Department Emergency Program. The grant can not be used for utilities, bills or station upkeep, but is earmarked for many needs, such as safety gear, fire station construction, vehicle purchases and fire training. Because of the grant size and needs of the department, Lt. Michael Clapp said the money will go to updating and replacing bunker gear — the protective clothing firefighters wear. “Bunker gear is like anything else — it wears out,” he said. “We received some new gear last year, and this will help us outfit ourselves and meet structural firefighting requirements. Gear deteriorate, and at some point it becomes a matter of safety to replace it.” Clapp said some of the basic gear for a firefighter — not including firefighting tools — is a set of thermal resistant over-pants and jackets, a helmet, gloves and boots. “Technology changes, and they have introduced some new stuff into the gear, such as a drag-rescue device to help a fallen firefighter,” he continued. “All of our new gear now has this drag-rescue device.” The Texas Legislature created the Texas Commission on Fire Protection’s Fire Department Emergency Program to provide grants and loans to Texas fire departments with critical equipment and training needs. The state provides approximately $1 million annually to fire departments. |
