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The Paper | Thursday, September 19, 2013
$99,000 grant awarded to West Jackson Fire Department to replace breathing apparatus
LeAnne Akin The Paper
West Jackson Fire Department Chief Ben Stephens holds one of the older self-contained breathing tanks as Firefighter Shannon Martin holds the lighter and state-of-the-art replacement models purchased with the grant dollars.
David Edge named WJFD Firefighter of the Year
The West Jackson Fire Department has received a federal grant in the amount of $99,000 for the purchase of 19 new selfcontained breathing apparatus (SCBA). The grant award is made possible through the federal program Assistance to Firefighters Grant. The WJFD submitted the request in June of 2012 with a host of other fire departments nationwide competing for $320 million in funds allocated for the grant. Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFC) provide financial assistance directly to fire departments and nonaffiliated EMS organizations to enhance their capabilities with respect to fire and tire-related hazards. The gear is lighter and more updated with safety of firefighters in mind. “The primary goal of these grants is to help fire departments and nonaftiliated EMS organizations meet their firefighting and emergency response needs,” says West Jackson Fire Chief Ben Stephens. “This grant has allowed the department to complete the transition to the newer and more efficient SCBA’s as well as enhance the interoperability
between the neighboring fire departments that we frequently work with. “This is a tremendous opportunitv for us,” said Stephens. “Currently, 74 percent of our budget is consumed with payroll costs which are in line with me national average for the fire service, thus leaving a relatively modest amount available for a purchase of this magnitude.” Stephens added that without this grant it would have taken as long as seven years to complete this changeover. He also added that the grant will allow the department to earmark monies for other items such as staffing, equipment and future station construction. The West Jackson Fire District has purchased property for a second location which will help address some of the longer response times experienced due to traffic congestion on Highway 53. Some area property owners have been negatively impacted by rising insurance premiums as insurance companies look at road mile distances from fire stations. An estimated $30,000 to begin work on the construction of the second station is anticipated to be included in the next year’s budget.
Honored at Hero’s Ball The third annual Hero’s Ball recognized three members of the local public safety community, and honored as the West Jackson Fire Department Firefighter of the Year was David Edge. Making the announcement of Edge’s honor was Deputy Chief Bill McElvery, who nominated Edge. “David Edge has been with the West Jackson Fire Department for nine years. He is an outstanding FAO/ fire truck driver,” said McElvery. “He is a hard worker and is also finishing EMT school while working.” Edge is a Braselton resident who became a grandfather for the first time just a few days before the Hero’s Ball. Edge currently serves as the driver on Engine 1, C
Shift. The Hero’s Ball was held Aug. 23, at the Braselton-Stover House and also honored an Officer of the Year from both the Braselton Police Department and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. The event benefitted Operation One Voice, an organization that benefits families of wounded and fallen soldiers.
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