NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Effingham Fire Department Receives Federal Grant Funds

Release Date: Aug. 24, 2007

The Effingham Fire Department will soon be able to check one of the larger “To-Do” items off of its list, thanks to grant funding awarded through a federal program.

U.S. Congressman John Shimkus (R-Collinsville) visited Effingham City Hall Thursday afternoon to present a $28,500 grant check to Effingham Fire Chief Joe Holomy and Effingham Mayor John Lange.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, which is a competitive grant administered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will provide the fire department with 95 percent of the total project costs, with the city responsible for the additional 5 percent of the project cost.

According to Holomy, the funds awarded will be used for the purchase and installation of a vehicle exhaust extraction system at Effingham Fire Station #3. The system will remove 100 percent of the diesel exhaust emissions from the fire station.

After a risk assessment identified diesel exhaust emissions that pose a health and safety risk to firefighters and others who visit the firehouse, Holomy sought funds for the needed project, which led him to the grant program.

According to Holomy, the lack of an exhaust extraction system causes three main concerns, which are:

• Harmful carbon monoxide and diesel exhaust exist in the apparatus bay,
• Firefighters protective equipment that is stored in the apparatus bay area becomes coated with diesel residue, and
• Apparatus exhaust enters the living and sleeping quarters of the station.

After presenting the city with the check, Shimkus expressed the importance of such programs that allow first responders to have the proper equipment needed to do their jobs.

Shimkus added several fire departments in the district he serves have benefited from this grant program.

“We have had a lot of successes in the district, from the largest of the communities to the smallest of the small communities,” said Shimkus, adding the grant selection process is measured on the need of the department.

Merv Gillenwater, Commissioner of Public Health and Safety, recognized Holomy for taking the initiative to apply for the grant.

“The city is thankful to Joe for seeing a need and seeking a solution by finding a grant,” said Gillenwater.

Mayor Lange added it is important for department administrators at the city to recognize funding opportunities and to act on these opportunities.

“It is beneficial to the city that these grants are available,” said the mayor. “When we can secure grant funding, it helps with the city’s budget.”

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant was created in 2001 to help firefighters and other first responders obtain needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources. The National Preparedness Directorate in FEMA administers the grant in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.

The Effingham Fire Department received a $28,500 grant from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program for a vehicle exhaust extraction system. From left are Mayor John Lange, U.S. Congressman John Shimkus (R-Collinville), Fire Chief Joe Holomy, and Commissioner of Public Safety and Health Merv Gillenwater.