The Battle Creek Fire Department will test extrication equipment that they will soon purchase with the help of a federal grant.
This is the second year in a row the BCFD has benefited from the FEMA Firefighters Equipment Grant; staff are just completing the process related to a regional two-way radio grant awarded last year.
The total award for this year’s grant is $96,450 -- $87,273 in federal dollars, with a 10 percent city match of $8,727.
The goal of this grant is for the BCFD to update and replace the vehicle extrication equipment on our two rescue pumpers. These fire rigs respond to the majority of vehicle extrication calls in the city, and also use them in response to industrial accidents, collapses, and similar incidents.
The following equipment is included in the grand award – two sets of hydraulic pumps, cutters, spreaders, and rams for extrication; two sets of composite cribbing/vehicle stabilization kits; and two sets of high-pressure, airlifting bags and controllers.
The BCFD has one year to evaluate and purchase the equipment. This week, staff will test a variety of extrication equipment at Tiger’s Towing on South Kendall Street. Owner Randy Hammer donated his facility and vehicles to use for testing.
Equipment vendors that will attend the testing are Genesis Rescue Systems, Apollo Fire Equipment Company with HURST Jaws of Life tools, and R&R Fire Truck Repair Inc. with TNT Rescue Tools.