Fire Department Receives Federal Grant (October 29, 2004)

The Washington Township Fire Department recently was awarded a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the purchase and installation of back-up power generators for the Fairmount and Schooleys Mountain Fire Stations.

As a result of updated and expanded emergency management operations plans, the need for viable shelters in the event of a natural or man-made disaster has become essential. This has necessitated facilities which can accommodate large numbers of people in an environment which can sustain them comfortably for an extended period of time. The fire stations have kitchen and sanitary capabilities, but would be rendered inoperable in the event of a power failure. Since they do not have back-up power they are not considered practical locations under loss-of-power conditions. Therefore, emergency generators are required to be installed at each of the stations.

This equipment will provide for complete operation of the fire stations in the event of a power failure, including heat and lighting. In addition to providing shelter to displaced residents, the stations must remain fully operational during a power outage. This includes capability for operation of overhead doors, back-up communications facilities (alternate radio and telephone dispatch), apparatus vehicle exhaust systems, apparatus vehicle charging systems, water refilling and sanitary facilities. The stations provide back-up communications capability for dispatch. However, without power, these systems will obviously not operate, thereby negating the function of the back-up resources. The ability for firefighters in the station to communicate with incident commanders, apparatus or other entities is also not possible if radios and telephones are inoperable.

While Washington Township provides funding for the purchase of fire equipment, the stations are independently owned and operated by the fire companies. This places the burden for the daily operation of the stations to the not-for-profit organizations. As basic operational expenses for heat, electricity, telephone, and maintenance continue to increase, funds raised by solicitations have remained level or dropped slightly.

The Washington Township residents and firefighters will benefit from the proposed acquisition of back-up power equipment through improvement of the volunteer fire companies’ ability to respond to fire and other emergency response needs in a timely manner, in any conditions, and provide adequate shelter for the public in the event of a disaster. With emergency generators to power the stations, our firefighters can more rapidly and safely respond whenever the community needs them. Often, during severe weather and /or power outages, the volunteer firefighters are requested to stand-by at their stations should alerting systems become inoperative or streets blocked. Without power and water, there is no benefit to a stand-by and critical response times could be impacted.

The grant for $63,540 covers 90% of the total expenses based upon the established FEMA funding formula. The Long Valley Fire Company was not included at this time due to a possible relocation of their station, but funding sources are being pursued for a similar purchase at a later date.