According a recent press release, Whatcom County Fire Protection District 7 has been awarded a substantial grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.
The Fire District applied for the grant in 2014 and was recently notified it had been awarded $254,000 towards new firefighting “turnout gear.” The district will use the grant to purchase 88 sets of firefighting gear, replacing some gear that has exceeded its intended 10 year life expectancy.
A set of turnout gear includes coats, pants, helmets, flash hoods, gloves and boots. The cost of one set is over $2800. The new gear is expected to be in service by early 2016.
Whatcom County Fire Protection District 7 serves 72 square miles in and around the City of Ferndale. There are currently 120 members of the District including Volunteer Support Staff, Cadet Firefighters, Volunteer Firefighter and Career employees answering nearly 4400 calls for service annually.