Document text
Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 25, 2005 Phoenix gets grant to buy fire truck By BUFFY POLLOCK for the Mail Tribune PHOENIX — A quarter-million dollar grant from the Department of Homeland Security will put a shiny new fire truck on the streets here this time next year. Fire Chief Matt Lichtenstein said the city got word Friday that the grant application, submitted in April, had been approved as one of just two departments in the state to receive funds for new vehicles. "The whole department is pretty excited," said Lichtenstein. "They’re pretty anxious about getting started on finding the right design, getting it all picked out and ordered." The department has two rigs — a 1992 model and another that dates back to 1974. Both are considered "triple-combination" engines, with an on-board 1,000-gallon tank, pump, ladders and hose. The 30-year-old truck, Lichtenstein pointed out, requires a great deal of maintenance. In addition, the department is working to come into compliance with National Fire Protection Association standards by acquiring more modern apparatus, said the chief. Advertisement The older engine has three seats, while NFPA standards suggest a minimum of four to allow the needed number of firefighters inside when answering emergency calls. Lichtenstein said the city would likely keep the two existing rigs on the road when needed but could eventually discuss taking the 1974 model out of commission. "At this point, we’re basically adding one," he said. "The final decision has yet to be made on the other apparatus. The City Council will discuss that when the time comes." The grant total of $265,000, awarded under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant from the Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Domestic Preparedness, is to be combined with $13,250 contributed from the fire department’s general budget. The Phoenix Fire Department has 18 paid and volunteer firefighters. Lichtenstein said he had no specific details on the grant process but had heard that some 2,000 applications were originally submitted. Phoenix was one of just two departments in Oregon to receive a grant specifically designated for purchase of a new fire truck. Locally, Williams Rural Fire Protection District will get $38,000 for "operations and safety needs," while Evans Valley Fire District will get $86,000 for the same. Buffy Pollock is a freelance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [email protected]. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Investments & Loans Advertisement s