WOODVILLE – The Woodville Volunteer Fire Department was recently named as one of the 100 volunteer fire departments, nationwide, to receive a $10,000 grant from State Farm.
The grant, which is made in collaboration with the National Volunteer Fire Council, is to purchase needed equipment, and according to a news release, was announced just in time for Fire Prevention Week, which lasts from Oct. 6 until Saturday, Oct. 12.
“Thanks to this donation from State Farm and the National Volunteer Fire Council, we will be better able to serve nor only our community but our neighboring communities as well ensuring that our volunteers have the proper equipment to execute tasks in a safe and efficient manner,” said Woodville VFD Chief Alan Gartner.
According to State Farm, through its Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety program, it has been able to award $1 million in grants to help volunteer fire departments, across the country, obtain needed equipment to increase responders’ safety, effectiveness and ability to serve their communities.
This is the first year that the grant has been awarded.
Woodville VFD intends to purchase four sets of gear and four gas/CO meters, which can swiftly detect hazardous gases, ensuring that firefighters can promptly assess and mitigate risks in emergency situations.
According to Gartner, Woodville VFD currently has 34 active volunteers, and serves an area of approximately 278 square miles, comprising a population of roughly 8,000+ people. The department responds to about 225 calls a year, which include wildfires, structure fires, vehicle accidents, medical calls and mutual aid calls.
State Farm, in its news release, referred to volunteer fire departments as “critical” in the role their play in protecting communities and rural areas.
“However, they often operate on tight budgets and struggle to find the funding for needed equipment. In collaboration with the NVFC, State Farm aimed to award 50 grants to local fire departments. However, the overwhelming response prompted State Farm to double its commitment to 100 grants, benefiting even more local departments and communities,” the news release stated.
