Fire Department Gets Grant For Mini Fire Truck

The Archbold Fire Department has received a $40,565 grant from the federal government.

AFD is one of 32 Ohio fire departments to get money through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Andy Brodbeck, Archbold Fire Department chief, said $11,000 for the grant money will be used to purchase a “skid unit.”

A skid unit is a self-contained water tank, pump, and hose reel that can be mounted in a pickup truck bed. It is generally used to fight grass fires.

Utility

However, AFD is looking to purchase a small four-wheel utility vehicle, using money raised by the department’s feather parties. Brodbeck said department members are considering machines offered by two local firms.

The skid unit could be mounted in the vehicle, which can go places the department’s large grass truck can’t reach.

Brodbeck said while on mutual aid calls, AFD firefi ghters have run into situations where they couldn’t get to a fire with a full-size truck.

In one case, the Morenci, Mich. fire department used a utility vehicle to do the job.

“It worked well,” he said.

The utility vehicles can also be used to transport patients, traveling where an ambulance can’t go.

The small machine would be carried to fire or accident scenes on a trailer.

Hose

The department will use the remaining funds to purchase 2,000 feet of 5-inch hose, 1,000 feet of 3-inch hose, and 1,000 feet of 1 1/2- inch hose.

Also on the shopping list are 12 new nozzles.

The total of all purchases is $42,700. Once the $40,565 federal grant is applied, the remainder is $2,135, which will be paid out of the department’s budget.