The Alpena, Wessington and Wolsey fire departments are among 33 career and volunteer departments receiving funding through Glacial Lakes Energy’s Fire Department Grant Program.
Glacial Lakes Energy (GLE) invited more than 70 fire departments located within approximately 50 miles of its facilities in Aberdeen, Huron, Mina and Watertown to apply for funding for equipment and emergency response needs. The company received 33 applications totaling more than $371,000 and funded each request.
“We received 33 applications totaling more than $371,000. The requests were practical and important — grain bin rescue equipment, breathing gear, water storage tanks, rescue tools, PPE, radios, and fire hoses. We funded every project exactly as requested because when firefighters tell you what they need to protect lives, you listen and you act,” stated Mark J. Schmidt, GLE Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Schmidtsharedoneexample from a local department that highlighted the importance of the equipment.
“We heard from one fire department that they had two firefighters battling a fire when they became surrounded in a fire ring. The department did not have portable radios at the time — their radios were only mounted in the truck. Thankfully, they were able to yell for help and were heard, because it could have ended much worse. Now, with these grant funds, they are able to purchase portable radios,” stated Schmidt.
“We were pleased to award grants to the Wessington Fire Department, Alpena Fire Department and Wolsey Fire Association and help support the important work their volunteers do to keep their communities safe,” added Schmidt.
Jimmy Hanks, chief of the Wessington Fire Department, said the funds will be used to help update trucks and tools so the department can continue serving the community.
Wolsey Fire Association Chief Mike McCready said “The funds we received from GLE will help us purchase much needed equipment which includes harnesses, rope and rigging gear needed in grain bin rescues or other falls. This will help us save lives and we are very grateful for the partnership.”
Gary Orth of the Alpena Fire Department said the department is using the funds to purchase equipment used to fight grass fires.
GLE said the grant program was created to help rural fire departments improve safety and preparedness. Many departments operate with limited budgets and rely heavily on volunteer firefighters.
In addition to Alpena, Wessington and Wolsey, grants were awarded to fire departments in Aberdeen Rural, Ashton, Bowdle, Brant, Bristol, Cavour, Clear Lake, Columbia, Doland, Faulkton, Florence, Garden City, Gary, Hayti, Hazel, Henry, Hosmer, Huron, Lake Norden, Letcher, Mellette, Miller, Northville, Redfield Rural, Roscoe, Toronto, Turton, Wallace, Watertown, White, and Wilmot.
