Area Volunteer Fire Departments To Receive Grants from State Fire Marshal
Presentations Coincide with Governor’s Regional Cabinet Day Event

Department of Commerce Director Gary C. Suhadolnik and State Fire Marshal Robert R. Rielage will present fire grants to fifteen north central Ohio volunteer fire departments in a ceremony to be held at the Franklin Township Fire Department, 505 Boyce Road, Shelby at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 18^th.  The event is in conjunction with Governor Bob Taft’s regional cabinet day in Mansfield. The grants are part of $1.78 million in grants being awarded to small and volunteer departments by the State Fire Marshal for training and equipment.

“The majority of fire departments in Ohio are made up of committed volunteers who welcome the opportunity to serve their communities,” said Rielage. “These grants allow their spirit of volunteerism to be coupled with the proper equipment and training in order to perform their firefighting duties.”

The grants will be presented to:

Richland County

·       Chief James Coffey, Sr. of the Franklin Township Fire Department, who will receive $8,000 towards the purchase of firefighter protective clothing.

Ashland County

·       Chief Lon Burton of the Ruggles Troy Township Volunteer Fire Department, who will receive $8,000 towards the purchase of communications equipment and tools.

Coshocton County

·       Chief Gaylord Glen Hill of the West Lafayette Fire Department, who will receive $8,000 towards the purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus.

Crawford County

·       Chief Richard Ackerman of the New Washington Fire Department, who will receive $2,464 towards the purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus.

·       Chief Daniel Grau of the Dallas Township Fire Department, who will receive $5,090 towards the purchase of firefighter protective clothing and tools.

·       Chief Steve Kalb of the Holmes Township Fire Department, who will receive $8,000 towards the purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus and firefighter protective clothing.

Holmes County

·       Chief John Geib of the Killbuck Volunteer Fire Department, who will receive $3,334 towards the purchase of firefighter protective clothing and tools.

Marion County

·       Chief Donald Spicer of the Morral Salt Township Fire Department, who will receive $3,719 towards the purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus and communications equipment.

·       Chief John Boyd of the Scioto Valley Fire Department, who will receive $8,000 towards the purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus and communications equipment.

Morrow County

·       Chief Paul Mills of the Big Walnut Joint Fire Department, who will receive $8,000 towards the purchase of firefighter protective clothing.

·       Chief Harlen Barrick of the Johnsville Fire Department, who will receive $8,000 towards the purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus.

Seneca County

·       Chief Kenneth Weaver of the AVR Fire Department, who will receive $8,000 towards the purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus and firefighter protective clothing.

·       Chief Donald Martin of the Scipio-Republic Fire Department, who will receive $8,000 towards the purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus and firefighter protective clothing.

Wyandot County

·       Chief Max Kennedy of the Marseilles Fire Department, who will receive $8,000 towards the purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus and firefighter protective clothing.

·       Chief Gerald Clinger of the Sycamore Fire Department, who will receive $8,000 towards the purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus and firefighter protective clothing.

The Division of State Fire Marshal is part of the Ohio Department of Commerce.  The Fire Marshal's Office trains firefighters, enforces the Ohio Fire Code, investigates the cause and origins of fires and explosions, provides fire prevention programs, and performs other services.  Other Commerce divisions enforce regulations regarding industrial compliance, worker safety, financial institutions, liquor, real estate, securities and unclaimed funds.  The department's Internet address is www.com.state.oh.us

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