Clarion Volunteer Fire Department gets new safety equipment

Thanks to the Wright County Charitable Foundation and funds raised through other means, the Clarion Volunteer Fire Department has recently been able to upgrade and replace some of their rescue equipment—making Clarion safer.

The Charitable Foundation grant went to replace emergency air lift bags from Paratech. The sturdy rubber bags can be placed beneath large, heavy items and inflated with pressurized air, lifting the object and freeing a trapped victim. “They’re strong enough to pick up our fire truck,” Fire Chief Gene Rosenbaum said.

Other new equipment was purchased through funds raised through last year’s Firemen’s Ball, including new sets of tools for navigating a burning structure (axes, a sledge, large bolt cutters, and more), storage cabinets, and an air tank fill station for pressurizing containers of breathable air to use in thick smoke.

Rosenbaum said the department applies for grants whenever it can to relieve costs from the city. In the near future, they hope to be able to replace their STBA (breathing) equipment, which includes an air tank, a carrying pack, and face mask. Rosenbaum said the department would know by summer if they’ve received the grant to pay for $122,000 of $128,000 replacement costs.

For the full story, see the February 9 edition of the Monitor.