PEMBROKE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The Pembroke Fire Department has received two Assistance to Firefighter Grants totaling $497,609. This regional grant money allows them to purchase new and upgraded equipment for local volunteer firefighters to utilize.
The first AFG grant guaranteed $318,000 to go towards the purchase of a new rescue truck with a light tower and mobile cascade system on board. The department worked with the surrounding volunteer fire departments of Fairview, Highland, Honey Grove, and Oak Grove to obtain this regional grant.
“This rescue truck will have a mobile cascade system built in to allow us to refill our SCBA cylinders on scene of structure fires for not only our department but any department in Christian or Todd Counties,” Pembroke Fire Chief Nicholas Belair told Christian County Now. “There was a major need for a light tower and mobile cascade capabilities within this area.”
A second grant for $179,000 is for new Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus air packs, bottles, and two rapid intervention air supply systems called RIT packs. This new equipment will replace the departments existing 17-year-old gear, according to Belair. The new units will ensure that each apparatus has fully operational air packs for the firefighters.
“We are very fortunate for these grants as it has allowed us to maintain our capabilities, to be compliant with federal and state regulations, as well as ensure our firefighters have the most up-to-date equipment and apparatus to do the jobs they are called upon when needed,” Belaire added.
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