The DeKalb Fire Protection District was recently awarded the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Fire Protection Grant, which is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.
The award — worth up to $20,000 — was used to help purchase and replace a variety of dated equipment and other technology the department never owned or used before.
"The community we serve should be very proud to have a volunteer fire department that is consistently keeping their best interest in mind," said Joe Talbot, DeKalb District Fire Chief. "We're always looking for ways to improve our service and update equipment so we can do our jobs better, and this grant has certainly allowed us to do that."
Equipment included, but was not limited to, a thermal imaging camera, fire hose, medical equipment, breaching tools, scene lighting equipment and a rescue ventilation saw. Most of the equipment requested in the grant application supplemented space on a newer rescue pumper that the district acquired in 2022, thus removing 20-year-old equipment from service.
The DeKalb Fire Protection District, established in 1981, serves 90 square miles south and west of St. Joseph. The district is supplemented by a volunteer labor force of 23 men and women, one fire station and five apparatus.
Officials said although the award required the district to match 50% of funds, it allowed the taxpayers relief in their pocketbooks, thus saving current revenues in its budget.
"Fiscal responsibility is very important for special taxing districts", said Matt Westrich, DeKalb District treasurer.
The DeKalb Fire Protection District was one of many fire agencies across the state of Missouri that received ARPA funding.
© 2024 the St. Joseph News-Press (St. Joseph, Mo.).
