By Scott L. Miley, Herald Bulletin Associate Features Editor
FRANKTON - Community donations totaling more than $21,000 were handed Friday to the financially strapped Frankton Fire Department to supply airpacks for firefighters to use when entering burning buildings.
The cash donations came from local groups that were concerned the department was unable to pay for replacing 20 airpacks by Jan 1, 2010. The move is required by the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration and other regulatory bodies, Chief Rob Amick said.
"We understood the need, and we realized that at the end of this year this equipment is going to be mandated to be scrapped," said Clarence Lehman, board chairman at Frankton Christian Church, which was one of the donors.
More than $21,500 was given to Chief Rob Amick for the fire department:
- $10,000 from Frankton Christian Church and its general fund
- $7,000 from Frankton Lions Club through projects including its food booth at the Madison County 4-H fair
- $3,500 from Shuter Sunset Farms in Frankton, collected mostly through a tenderloin fry
- $1,066 from Frankton United Methodist Church
Purchasing 20 new airpacks could run more than $100,000. The donations could buy four new packs or be used to lease up to eight, Amick said. Airpacks include an air bottle, mask and harness.
The Frankton Fire Department has an annual budget of $62,000. Amick recently pleaded for more funding from the areas served by his department. Frankton Fire Department serves more than 9,000 people in the town of Frankton along with Lafayette and Jackson townships.
Amick hopes to double the budget by 2012.
"I'd hate to see one house burn down because they didn't have the equipment to go in and fight a fire," said Lehman.
"If they don't have the equipment, all they can do is stand outside and throw water on it," added Tom Gilliam, president of Frankton Lions Club.
As Lehman prepared to hand over the Frankton Christian check, he held a Bible in his hands. It was bookmarked to Exodus, chapter 25: "The Lord said to Moses, 'Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from each man whose heart prompts him to give'."
The fire department has sought as many grants as possible, said Lt. Josh Hendrick. However, most grants require matching funds, which makes it difficult for a small community to obtain them, he said.
To help compensate, the department has found bargains such as winning six new firetruck tires in a contest or buying a $300 pair of firefighter boots for $130 on Ebay.