The Kell and Odin Fire Protection Districts have received small equipment grants from the Office of the State Fire Marshall. Kell will receive $26,000 and Odin $18,500.
The Assistant Chief of the Kell Fire Protection District Jason Franke says they will use their grant funds to purchase new turnout gear to replace out of date gear that is still in service today as well as a Turnout gear extractor.
The extractor spins at a much greater RPM than a standard washing machine. This helps to remove small particulates that typically contain carcinogens from the gear firefighters wear into fires. Franke notes cancer has become a major concern in the fire service in the last ten years. He says this is another tool we can use to help protect our firefighters from cancer and send them home safe to their families. The Kell Fire
Department is 100-percent volunteer with no paid on call stipend. Odin Fire Chief Greg Smith says their small equipment grant will be used to purchase structural firefighting gloves, protective hoods, personal flashlights and a new thermal imaging camera.
