November 25, 2008

Firefighters awarded $4,000 grant

       White River Township firefighters will receive help rescuing people from collapsed buildings and trenches filled with water.  The Indiana Department of Homeland Security awarded the fire department a $4,000 grant to purchase a water pump and concrete core drill.

         The White River Township Fire Department has about 15 firefighters certified to rescue people from collapses, said Jim Engmark, fire department spokesman.  If a collapsed area or trench that firefighters need to get to is flooded, the pump will let firefighters drain the water from the area, Engmark said.  The concrete core drill will let firefighters bash away debris to search for trapped victims, he said.  "Without this equipment, we can still do the job. It just takes a bit longer," Engmark said.

         White River Township was one of nine fire, police or emergency response departments that received more than $32,000 combined as part of the state's Homeland Security Foundation grant program, used to equip emergency responders.  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)
 
    

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