BOUCHER SECURES FEDERAL FUNDING FOR CHILHOWIE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

$34,126 Federal Grant Will Enable Purchase of New Safety and Wellness Equipment

            (Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Representative Rick Boucher announced today that, at his urging, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, through its Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, is providing a federal grant in the amount of $34,126 to the Chilhowie Volunteer Fire Department.  "This provision of federal funding will enable the purchase of new equipment for the Chilhowie Volunteer Fire Department, which will provide an added measure of safety for Department members and the communities they serve," Boucher said.

            The federal funds announced today will assist in the purchase of new extrication equipment, which will assist the Department's members respond to motor vehicle accidents. The new extrication equipment will replace older equipment which was more difficult to operate. Additionally, the Department will purchase two defibrillators, 26 traffic vests to protect firefighters who are responding to an emergency in a roadway, and a carbon dioxide and methane detector which will allow the Department's members to detect CO2 and methane at the scene of an emergency.

            The Department will also purchase new wellness equipment including a treadmill and a stationary bike for its members. The Chilhowie Volunteer Fire Department has instituted new goals for fitness among its firefighters, and the new equipment will assist the members reach these goals.

The Chilhowie Volunteer Fire Department provides fire protection to 80 square miles in Smyth County including the Town of Chilhowie and its surrounding areas. The Department is made up of 27 members, 25 of whom serve on a voluntary basis.

            "I am pleased that the Department of Homeland Security has provided this funding to the Chilhowie Volunteer Fire Department.  It is important to ensure that our fire and rescue personnel have access to the best equipment and today's announcement will help further this goal," Boucher concluded.                                                     

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