Springville, Tenn.–For members of the Springville Volunteer Fire Department, Friday was a great day.
The department received the four sets of turnout gear it was awarded and over the weekend, four of its members traveled to the 13th Annual Tennessee River Training Weekend for a weekend of expanding their knowledge and skills to better serve the community.
The department’s motto is, “Whatever It Takes”.
Springville Volunteer Fire Department’s nine volunteers were equipped with out-of-date, worn, and even torn gear that no longer met safety standards. Every time SVFD’s volunteers respond to an emergency, they are put at risk due to their outdated gear.
Lieutenant Chuck Asher of the Springville Community Fire Department Applied for the MSA’s and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway 2021 in February 2021. This was for pants, jacket and helmet.
The equipment was received November 5th, 2021 and pants, jacket and helmet for four came to $11,600. They are still waiting on the structural fire helmets.
The Department is still in need of an additional turn out gear for remaining firefighters as well as SCBA packs. A GoFundMe request is set up to try to replace remaining aged gear (https://gofund.me/851b7738)
Cost upwards of $13,000 to fully equip a firefighter. Remaining gear is out of the lifespan for gear by NFPA. All gear is greater than 10 years old
Speaking before receiving the award, Lt. Chuck Asher said, ““Receiving this gear would not only allow us to continue to serve our community, but to do it in a safer and more secure manner. To know [the volunteers’] equipment will protect them and hold up to NFPA requirements will give them much needed relief.”
Photo: From left, Lieutenant Chuck Asher, Captain Holly Charland, Firfighter Martin Bawcum and Assistant Chief Billy Unruh. (Springville FD photo).