Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008

Bethel FD gets more firefighting power

By John Marks

Enquirer Herald

LAKE WYLIE -- The Bethel Volunteer Fire Department will now fight fires with federal dollars thanks to almost $80,000 in grant money from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham announced Thursday the Bethel unit will receive $79,325 through an Operations and Safety Program grant. The money may be used for anything from training, wellness and fitness programs to the purchase of firefighting and personnel equipment or improvements to fire stations. Because standards for breathing apparatuses changed in 2007, Chief Don Love said the department needed money for air packs to be replaced, so Bethel will use the money to pay for breathing apparatuses, helmets, boots and other protective equipment for its volunteer members.

"You have to use it for what you put in for," said Love, who applied for the grant in Spring 2007. "You don't have any leeway."

Depending on population served, departments are required to pay up to 30 percent in matching grant money for the federal dollars. Bethel will match 5 percent, bringing the total figure to $83,500. Love requested the match money from the county Board of Rural Fire Control when he applied for the grant, and is not sure whether they or his department will match.

Randy Thompson, fire marshal for York County and liason to the rural fire board, said he placed Bethel's request for match money on the Aug. 28 board agenda.

"The board does have some money that is set aside for matching grants," Thompson said. "That will be up to their discretion."

The Assistance to Firefighters grant program awards the annual grants to local fire departments to "protect the health and safety of the public and their firefighting personnel."

"Firefighters and emergency service personnel dedicate themselves to protecting the health and safety of South Carolinians," Graham said. "These grants will help our local fire departments and rescue squads by providing them the means to obtain the best equipment and training available."

The money comes as a welcomed addition to the all-volunteer unit that relies heavily on community donations and annually works with about a $100,000 budget. Despite loyal help from groups such as River Hills Lions Club, which donated $8,000 last year, firefighters say, the number of people and buildings to protect within the 61-square mile has grown while donations have not.

Through July, Bethel volunteers responded to 152 calls in 2008. This year also marked milestones such as the addition of a 3,500-gallon tanker in May and an improved Insurance Safety Organization rating from 7 to 5 effective Aug. 1. This should help reduce fire insurance rates for area residents and businesses.

"This year's been pretty good to us," Love said. "We've been blessed."