The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

The Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District will receive a federal grant of $107,704 to purchase up-to-date self-contained breathing apparatus and a fill station for the district, according to Fire Chief Chuck Cable.

Chief Cable explained that breathing apparatus is equipment that can save lives. Having up-to-date breathing apparatus can make a big difference in the workload placed upon firefighters. The newer equipment is much lighter and allows a firefighter to carry much more air supply.

“Our budget is lean, and this type of purchase would take us over 25 years to save the money to buy this equipment if it wasn’t for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program,” Chief Cable said.

The grant was secured with the help of Congressman Greg Walden.

“This award is a testament to the good work being done by Fire Chief Charles Cable and his dedicated staff and volunteers,” said Walden, who chairs the House Forests and Forest Health Subcommittee. “Fire can be such a devastating occurrence and ensuring that these brave firefighters have the resources, training and equipment necessary is critical. Their dedication keeps people, communities and our environment safe…”

Some 654 grants totaling over $77 million were announced this past week by the Department of Homeland Security in the second round of this year’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP).

“Our goal is to achieve interoperability on a region- wide basis when it comes to equipment,” Cable said. “That means all of the fire departments in the region must work towards having equipment that is compatible with each other on the emergency scene.

“I am truly grateful that the Department of Homeland Security continues to fund this grant program to make this type of upgrade possible for a small district like ours,” Cable said.