Northern Pendleton Fire Department receives $153,190 grant

By Nila Harris

On Thursday, January 5, 2023, firefighters from the Northern Pendleton Fire Department attended a training and fitting for new masks and air packs received from a $153,190 grant.  This grant, written by former NPFD chief Adam Fuller who writes grants on the side for several Northern KY fire departments, provides 20 complete air packs, 20 spare tanks, and 30 masks, plus training and fitting for the new equipment.  The firefighters will each have their own mask fitted for them. They will be responsible for maintaining and caring for their personal mask. Every fire engine carries four or five air packs per truck, plus spares.  Each air pack is rated for 45 minutes, but firefighters typically get around 20-30 minutes per pack, depending on exertion and use during a fire.  The tanks can be refilled at the fire house.

This Assistance to Firefighters grant (through FEMA) which had an additional $91,000 match from Northern Pendleton was much needed and appreciated.  The current air packs are 10-12 years old with battery packs which have become obsolete.

The company that serviced the old packs has gone out of business, so there is no training, fitting, or new parts available to order.  Vogelpohl Fire Equipment, a family-owned business in operation since 1989, is the current supplier of the equipment received in the grant. Sales representative Adam Bowsher, fitted each fire fighter and provided training on servicing, maintaining, and how to properly wear and use the equipment.

Another exciting “plus” for the grant is that additional features may be added as the community and fire department grows.  Things like thermal energy cameras, firefighter locater systems, and/or an intercom system that allows firefighters to communicate with each other without using a radio may be added later.  These additional items can be added to the gear instead of the masks, providing more visibility.  Already, the new masks will be providing 30-40% more visibility than the old masks, according to Chief John Sietz.  The equipment is guaranteed for 15 years.  If a problem occurs, the manufacturer may be contacted, and a representative will come to the fire house to fix or replace the equipment.

Along with this grant, NPFD has been awarded other grants this year.  They received a grant for four thermal imaging cameras for individual firefighters, a fire-based EMS grant which equips both ambulances with the same equipment instead of two different kinds on each vehicle, a grant for Personal Protection Equipment which provided gear for three firefighters and a TC energy grant of $6500 being used for radio upgrades.  Sietz mentioned other grants that were applied for, but the department has not heard the outcome of these awards yet.

Northern Pendleton Fire Department is located on Highway 154 at Peach Grove. They are a hard-working group of 29 members (two paid positions and 27 volunteers), which is evident in the grants that are being written/received, the fire runs, and programs conducted at the department. When Captain Nathan Shank was asked what the greatest need was for the department, he said without hesitation, “Volunteers”.  Sietz echoed this sentiment, “Volunteers are the backbone of our department.” If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please call 859-472-5127 for additional information.  You must be 18 years or older.