Fire District to buy safer gear

QUINCY - Grant County Fire District No. 3 was awarded a $12,068 grant from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources Sept. 12.

The grant is to purchase newer equipment for firefighters, Fire Chief Don Fortier said. The new equipment includes fire shelters and web belts.

"Fire shelters are protective tents they carry on their belts in case of a (wildland fire) burn over," he said. "The newer model will hold up to higher temperatures."

A web belt is a feature that holds various items including water containers and the fire shelter, which is similar to a pup tent.

The fire district is responsible for 10 percent of the cost of purchase. They will pay approximately $1,200 from their operating budget for new equipment, Fortier said.

"It sure helps these rural fire departments to ensure they have proper safety. It really helps," he added.

Fortier expects to get the new equipment in two weeks. He said the final step is to get the approval signature from the DNR.