FOUR LICKING COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS

TO BE PRESENTED GRANTS BY STATE FIRE MARSHAL

State Fire Marshal Robert R. Rielage will present volunteer fire grants to four Licking County volunteer fire departments. The ceremony will be held on Thursday, November 18th at 10:00 a.m. at the Newark Fire Department, 1140 Hollander Street, Newark.

The grants are funded through the State Fire Marshal’s Volunteer Fire Department Grant Program.

The grants will be presented to:

· Chief Lee Bash of the Homer Volunteer Fire Department, who will receive $10,000 towards the purchase of protective clothing.

· Chief William Snider of the National Trail Fire Department, who will receive $6,000 towards the purchase of protective clothing.

· Chief Tim Ridenbaugh of the Newark Fire Department, who will receive $10,000 towards the purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus.

· Chief Russell Davis of the Utica Fire Department, who will receive $10,000 towards the purchase of firefighting related tools.

The Volunteer Fire Department Grant program assists volunteer fire departments in purchasing equipment and supplies that they may otherwise not be able to afford. The grants are awarded using a grading schedule that attempts to first fund departments with the fewest resources to meet their needs and responsibilities. The criteria include: population and size of the fire district, fire department’s total budget, number of fire runs, and proposed use of the grant.

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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, financial institutions, real estate, securities, unclaimed funds and liquor. The department’s internet address is www.com.state.oh.us