RANGELEY – The Rangeley and Strong fire departments are getting new safety equipment thanks to federal grants totaling $120,000.
Rangeley’s fire department is receiving a grant of $99,743 to fund 16 new air packs for firefighters. The Strong fire department’s grant totals $18,456, which will fund 10 new turnout gear sets—the protective equipment worn by firefighters at fire and other hazardous scenes.
The operations and safety grants were awarded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.
Rangeley Fire Chief Tim Pellerin said he was “very pleased and very excited” when his department got word they had been awarded the grant. The department has been setting aside money in an capital improvement reserve account over the last three or four years towards replacing the old air packs that are between 10 and 18 years old. The air packs or breathing apparatuses, are cylindrical tanks that are strapped onto the backs of fire fighters to supply them them with breathable air when entering smoke-filled environs. Each pack costs $6,000.
Pellerin wrote the grant and stressed the need to replace the aging air packs, the importance in the local community of having the latest in safety equipment and referenced his department’s response to the fire explosions after the train derailment in Lac-Mégantic a little more than a year ago. He noted it is a very competitive grant process with 11,000 fire departments around the country applying.
“We feel very fortunate to get it,” Pellerin said of his department, which has a roster of 25 firefighters and four junior firefighters. “This will give the department the newest, most latest, best equipment to keep everybody as safe as possible on the ground. It also helps the town and local taxpayers. It’s a win-win for everybody.”
Strong Fire Chief Duayne Boyd said the aging turnout gear his department is currently using had been purchased 12 years ago. He was hoping to replace the turnout gear sets for his department’s 11 fire fighters a few at a time each year.
Lt. Aaron Marden wrote the grant and submitted it last fall.
“We just kept our fingers crossed,” Boyd said, hoping they would get the award. Then they received the good news that all 10 turnout gear sets they requested will be replaced through the FEMA grant.
“When we got the call, we were quite pleased,” he said.
Congressman Mike Michaud made the official announcement on Wednesday.
“We can’t ask our firefighters to risk their lives responding to dangerous emergencies without supporting them with top-of-the-line equipment,” Michaud said in a press release. “The teams in Strong and Rangeley each protect thousands of Mainers in their communities, and FEMA’s grants to these departments will help ensure that our citizens and first responders are kept safe.”
Want to thank Aaron Marden for all the time and effort he has put into writing the grants. Also want to thank Duayne Boyd for his excellent leadership. Our town is very fortunate to have dedicated Fire Dept volunteers.
Thank you to each and every volunteer. Aaron is going above and beyond in his quest to help the town. Duayne is truly a great leader. Again thank you and congratulations !
Congratulations to the Strong Fire Department. It’s nice to see one of these grants actually go to a town that trully needs it.
Great job Aaron!
Strong Maine is lucky to have such a good American! I witness Mr. Marden donate countless hours to the Fire Department to ensure the safety of Franklin County citizens! Mad Marden is a good man.
Great job Aaron. The people of Strong should be thankful for all the work you and all the firefighters do.
I appreciate the comments. I am honored to serve the hard-working citizens of the Town of Strong. The entire department is. I salute all of them, as without them, this would not be possible.