Ferndale Fire Dept. Gets Homeland Security Grant to Replace Exhaust System

By, Crystal A. Proxmire

 

For the past two years the crew of The Ferndale Fire Department has worked without a proper exhaust system in place in the two fire stations.  Now thanks to $56,000 grant from the Department of Homeland Security, officers will no longer have to keep windows and doors open when starting up the fire engines, or pulling the engines out of the garage to run them.  They will be able to breathe safely knowing that harmful exhaust is removed from the building.

 

“This is something that we really need,” said Acting Fire Chief Kevin Sullivan.  “Grants like this can help us get things that the City can’t afford right now, so we’re always looking into ones we can apply for.”

 

Sullivan said he’s also hopeful that the City might receive an Assistance to Firefighter Grant for a piece of aerial firefighting equipment.  “It seems like grants come in groups.  Once your City shows they know how to manage grant money well, it makes you more likely to get new grants.  Right now Ferndale is a good place to be.”

 

Congressman Sander Levin supported the Ferndale Fire Department by submitting a letter to the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) in support of their application.  He also wrote on behalf of the City of Warren, which received grant money for six new monitor and defibrillator sets.   

 

“The fire department grants announced today mean needed improvements so firefighters in these two communities are better equipped and able to protect all local citizens.  It is vital to community safety for our first responders to have the facilities and equipment they need,” Levin said.

 

The repairs will begin as soon as a contractor has been selected to do the work, Sullivan said.