Georgia-Pacific donates to two VFDs
By From staff reports
Published in News on November 17, 2013 1:50 AM
Two volunteer fire departments will receive urgently needed safety equipment under the Georgia-Pacific Bucket Brigade grant program.
Arrington Bridge Volunteer Fire Department will receive $3,500, while Pikeville-Pleasant Grove Volunteer Fire Department will receive $1,500.
"We're proud to have the opportunity to meet the significant needs of our local community fire departments," said Dawn Stribble, safety manager of Georgia-Pacific's lumber facility in Dudley. "These Georgia-Pacific Bucket Brigade grants also support fire departments that protect communities where our employees live."
Arrington VFD Second Assistant Fire Chief Robert Klinger says the grant will go toward replacing old firefighting equipment including gloves, boots, ropes and traffic vests.
"Firefighting gear takes extreme abuse, especially gloves and boots," Klinger said. "Replacing these items will ensure our members have reliable protective equipment as they perform their duties."
Klinger says the department serves about 14,000 people.
Pikeville-Pleasant Grove VFD Fire Chief Ken Jones says the grant will help replace outdated equipment that no longer meets National Fire Prevention Authority standards.
"Getting this grant will increase our ability to serve the community because we will have up-to-date gear," Jones said.
Jones says his department serves about 5,000 people.
A record 55 fire departments will receive Georgia-Pacific Bucket Brigade grants this year totaling $270,000, the largest amount since the program began in 2006. The grants, generally ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, are awarded based on need. The program has now surpassed the $1.25 million mark in cash grants to fire departments that serve Georgia-Pacific's facility communities across the country.