West End Volunteer Fire Department Receives Federal Grant

September 27, 2007, GAINESBORO – The West End Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $92,388 U.S. Department of Homeland Security operations and safety grant to purchase a fire engine, U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon announced.

“Many communities struggle to maintain EMS and firefighting services,” said Gordon, a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “Even though demands on EMS providers and firefighters have increased tremendously over the years, the resources they depend on to provide their life-saving services have not.

“That’s why Congress initiated the Assistance to Firefighters Program, which is similar to the highly successful COPS program that put more than 100,000 new police officers on the nation’s streets.”

The West End Volunteer Fire Department will use these funds to purchase a mid-1990s fire engine with a 1,000-gallon tank and pump, according to Assistant Chief Lance Richmond. The department has to haul water to a fire, as there are no fire hydrants in the rural town of Gainesboro.

“This will help extend our firefighting capabilities and provide better fire protection for Jackson County,” Richmond said.