The latest two winners of the 2023 MSA and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway, conducted in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), have been selected.
The Ellis Grove (IL) Volunteer Fire Department and Ripton (VT) Fire & Rescue will each receive four new jackets, pants, and helmets to better protect their responders.
EGVFD
The Ellis Grove Volunteer Fire Department (EGVFD) serves a population of 1,000 people in the Village of Ellis Grove and the surrounding area in southwestern Randolph County, IL. The district has one major state route, two major rivers, and one major railroad.
The area is home to a federal lock and dam, a state park with a camping area, a historic home, and a scenic river overlook area, which brings an influx of visitors during the spring and summer months.
Emergency and non-emergency services
10 sets are worn or obsolete according to national safety standards, and five members have no gear
The EGVFD’s 18 volunteer members provide a multitude of emergency and non-emergency services including firefighting, fire prevention, fire code enforcement, rescue, water rescue, emergency medical, hazardous materials, and building inspections.
However, the department does not have enough turnout gear for all its volunteers, 10 sets are worn or obsolete according to national safety standards, and five members have no gear at all.
Reduce response times
“The safety and well-being of our personnel is a top priority for the EGVFD,” said Assistant Fire Chief Kenneth Roche. “These new sets of bunker gear will be utilized when called to duty by highly trained firefighters as well as facilitate NFPA compliance."
"This will allow our members to excel with performance duties, reduce response times, and most of all keep our firefighters safe so they can protect our community.”
Ripton Fire & Rescue
Ripton, VT, is a small mountain town of approximately 700 residents with additional seasonal visitors to the satellite college campus, ski areas, and fall foliage season.
Over 70 percent of Ripton is national forest. Ripton Fire & Rescue provides fire protection and medical first response; year-round wilderness rescue for hikers, skiers, and hunters; and support for community events and fire and life safety, education.
SCBA upgrade and replacement schedule
It has proven difficult to provide all 27 volunteer firefighters with adequate PPE
Fundraising efforts have allowed the department to replace an antiquated vehicle and establish an SCBA upgrade and replacement schedule.
However, it has proven difficult to provide all 27 volunteer firefighters with adequate personal protective equipment. Ten members do not have assigned turnout gear and another nine are using gear that is more than 10 years old.
Ensure protection
“Being from a small town shouldn't mean that our firefighters should be any less protected,” said Chief Chris Pike.
“The donation of gear would provide our volunteer firefighters the protection they need.”
