The City of Bonners Ferry Fire Department has received grants totaling more than $36,000 in 2010.

“The firefighters of the Bonners Ferry Fire Department are very appreciative of those organizations that have been able to provide much needed funds to help the department provide services to our community,” said BFFD Chief Pat Warkentin.

The generous grants came from organizations including Wells Fargo Bank whose  $1,000 donation enabled the department to purchase emergency lighting for a vehicle. Former Bonners Ferry resident Gary Pruitt and Univar Corp., donated $15,000 which went toward a ladder truck the department received in Feb. 

The Bureau of Land Management donated $12,000 for wildland communication equipment and  Homeland Security granted $1,700 to buy mobile communication equipment.

Idaho Department of Lands provided the $3,000 needed for personal protective gear for the firefighters. 

The department purchased a thermal imaging camera made possible by the $4,000 donation made by Trans Canada Pipe Line.

According to Warkentin the BFFD has openings for firefighters and is also in need of volunteers to help with daily department operations.

For information, call Chief Warkentin at 267-4390 or 610-0335.