Ukiah Daily Journal - Grant Helps Hopland Fire Department Buy New Engine
July 30, 2012
By Justine Frederiksen
The Hopland Fire Department added a new fire engine to its fleet this week thanks in large part to a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Rep. Mike Thompson (D - St. Helena), who wrote a letter in support of the HFD receiving the money, came to Hopland Friday afternoon to congratulate the department on its purchase.
"We didn't have a reliable engine," HFD Chief John Bartlett said, describing the new Wildland Type 2 fire engine as "much-needed" equipment that will hold more firefighters and has a larger pump.
"This is the first engine we've had that will hold five people inside the cab, and it can pump more gallons (of water) a minute," said Bartlett, explaining that the new engine will help his department battle "structure fires up in the hills surrounding downtown Hopland."
Before purchasing the new engine, Bartlett said all of the department's engines were more than 25 years old, which is about the expected life span of such vehicles, and some were much older.
Bartlett said the engine cost $300,000, of which the grant paid $285,000. The grant was awarded through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program of FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Bartlett thanked Thompson and his staff for "their support in obtaining the 2012 AFG."
"These grants are a win for the public and our local fire departments," Thompson said. "I am proud to support these grants and thank our firefighters and first responders for their service to our communities."
The Fort Bragg Fire Department received $168,150 in grant money, which Chief Steve Orsi said was used to replace all of the department's breathing apparatus, which are 30 units along with spare cylinders for each pack. The Eureka Fire Department also received $181,835.
Rep. Mike Thompson (D - St. Helena), who wrote a letter in support of the HFD receiving the money, came to Hopland Friday afternoon to congratulate the department on its purchase.
"We didn't have a reliable engine," HFD Chief John Bartlett said, describing the new Wildland Type 2 fire engine as "much-needed" equipment that will hold more firefighters and has a larger pump.
"This is the first engine we've had that will hold five people inside the cab, and it can pump more gallons (of water) a minute," said Bartlett, explaining that the new engine will help his department battle "structure fires up in the hills surrounding downtown Hopland."
Before purchasing the new engine, Bartlett said all of the department's engines were more than 25 years old, which is about the expected life span of such vehicles, and some were much older.
Bartlett said the engine cost $300,000, of which the grant paid $285,000. The grant was awarded through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program of FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Bartlett thanked Thompson and his staff for "their support in obtaining the 2012 AFG."
"These grants are a win for the public and our local fire departments," Thompson said. "I am proud to support these grants and thank our firefighters and first responders for their service to our communities."
The Fort Bragg Fire Department received $168,150 in grant money, which Chief Steve Orsi said was used to replace all of the department's breathing apparatus, which are 30 units along with spare cylinders for each pack. The Eureka Fire Department also received $181,835.