AVON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES GRANT FOR FIREFIGHTER EQUIPMENT

$277,286 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Will Help Fund New SCBA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security have awarded the Avon Volunteer Fire Department $277,286 through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. The money will subsidize the purchase of new Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).

“Being able to breathe in low oxygen situations is a matter of life and death for firefighters,” says AVFD Chief Michael Trick. “We are grateful for this assistance from FEMA that will allow us to upgrade our current SCBA equipment and better protect the safety and lives of our personnel.”

The AVFD last replaced SCBA equipment in 2005. At that time, the SCBA purchased was one of the best products available. However, they are now nearing the end of their usable life and, since they were purchased, SCBA manufacturers have made numerous safety improvements to their products.

The MSA G1 SCBA to be purchased by the AVFD are lighter, more versatile, and fully meet current National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. An SCBA Maintenance and Purchase Committee met for more than a year and reviewed and tested several different SCBA before recommending the MSA G1. The total cost of the new equipment is approximately $650,000 and the balance will be funded by the Town of Avon’s capital improvement program.

The AFG is a competitive grant based on need. In the grant application process, the AVFD competed with thousands of other fire departments throughout the United States. According to FEMA’s website, the primary goal of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) is to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire-related hazards by providing direct financial assistance to eligible fire departments, nonaffiliated Emergency Medical Services organizations, and State Fire Training Academies. This funding is for critically needed resources to equip and train emergency personnel to recognized standards, enhance operations efficiencies, foster interoperability, and support community resilience.

About the AVFD

Incorporated in 1943, the Avon Volunteer Fire Department proudly protects more than 18,000 people living in the 22.6 square mile area that makes up the Town of Avon. The Department’s mission is to provide fire suppression and prevention, life safety and rescue support, as well as other community support to the citizens of the Town of Avon. In addition, the Department provides mutual aid support to those surrounding communities that, in time of need, may request such assistance.

Staffed entirely by volunteers, the Avon Volunteer Fire Department prides itself on the selflessness and dedication of its members. The Department operates six companies and 15 pieces of apparatus, including a brush truck, ladder truck, tanker, rescue vehicle, boat, and pumpers. Four stations are located throughout Town – Company 1 on Darling Drive, Company 2 on Secret Lake Road, Company 3 on West Avon Road, and Company 4 on Huckleberry Hill Road. Anyone interested in learning more about the AVFD should call the Avon Volunteer Fire Department (AVFD) at 677-2644, visit www.AvonVFD.org, connect on Facebook at AvonVFD, or stop by the Company 1 firehouse located at 25 Darling Drive any Monday evening after 7:00.

For information about the AVFD’s special 75^th anniversary events scheduled throughout 2018, visit www.AvonVFD.org/75th-anniversary/.