The Gerald-Rosebud Fire Protection District has announced they have been awarded the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant totaling $104,00 in federal funding. The district will use the funds to purchase new fire gear for all active firefighters in the department. It was noted that a large majority of firefighters currently are outfitted in expired, or nearly-expired fire gear. This grant will allow all local firefighters to have safe fire gear for years to come.

FEMA operates under the authority of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

As a condition of the grant, the district must contribute equal to or greater than five percent of the grant, or $5,200. This brings the total budget for the new gear to $109,200.

Deputy Chief Jordan Lottmann recognized Captain Hayden Schoenfeld’s hard work in applying for the grant. He notes that Schoenfeld has worked tirelessly on chasing grants. “After multiple rejections we finally received a big one!” he writes. The district has also received a few smaller grants as well. They don’t plan to stop and rest on their laurels, but will continue to push forward and apply for more grants.

As the cost of equipment as skyrocketed in the last 10 years, the district has struggled to make ends meet. Citizens of the district approved a tax increase last year, but these grants help stretch taxpayer dollars even further.

For years the department has conducted fund-raisers to purchase upgraded personal equipment. At a cost of around $2,000 per set, it has been a slow go. The FEMA grant will allow them to outfit each member with new gear in one fell swoop.

The district joined with Belle, Vichy and Owensville fire departments to apply for a grant that will allow them to purchase new radios. They are hopeful that they will also receive that grant which also requires a five percent match in funds.

Between the White Lines, a local non-profit that promotes roadway safety, recently donated 40 traffic safety vests to the department.

Lottmann believes the district is in a place they have never been before. He says the department is made up of “truly a great group of dedicated guys, working daily to provide a better service to our community.”

Several members have received new certifications this year as the department continually strives to maintain the highest standard of training.

While the district operates with tax payer dollars, the department is made up entirely of unpaid volunteers. These firefighters give up their personal time not only to fight fires and respond to accidents, they also volunteer time to attend the training classes.