TOWN PUMP … COMMITED TO ALL OF MONTANA

Town Pump funded needed fire safety equipment this year.

April 6, 2006

This year Town Pump is recognizing the importance of the firemen who are dedicated to helping others. The demand for equipment such as thermal imaging cameras, clothing, water tanks and more is high. Through the efforts of Town Pump Charitable Foundation Helena area fire departments received grants totaling $19,400.

The Lewis and Clark Volunteer Fire Department was awarded $8,400 to help purchase Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA’s). York Volunteer Fire Department received $5,000 that will be used to help pay for a water fill station. East Valley Volunteer Fire Department received $3,000 that will go towards the purchase of a Thermal Imaging Camera. And Eastgate Volunteer Fire Department received $3,000 that will also go towards the purchase of SCBA’s.

Cheryl Warburton, Manager of the Town Pump 418 West Main in East Helena presented the checks. Each department will be using the grant money to enhance the protection of their customers and help keep firefighters safe.

Lewis and Clark Volunteer Fire Department Chief Wally Jester explained that “SCBA’s allow firefighters to breathe clean air from a tank carried in their back when entering a burning structure to search for anyone still inside and suppress the fire”. Chief Bill Wagner of the East Valley Volunteer Fire Department said his department would use the money to help purchase a Thermal Imaging Camera that lets firefighters see through smoke to find the fire and locate victims. Terry Olson Chief of the York Volunteer Fire Department and his members will use the grant money to install a dry fire hydrant. Chief Olson said “a dry hydrant is used to allow firefighters to access water year around by installing an underground pipe to a water source. The pipe remains dry until firefighters hook a pump to it and draft water from the source”. Sue Mergenthaler President of the Board of Trustees for the Eastgate Volunteer Fire Department stated “we are all volunteers it is nice to have a local business think enough of what we are doing to offer the grant money in the first place. It is exceptionally rewarding to have been chosen to receive part of the grant money”.