By Taylor Boyd
The Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department has received a $15,000 grant that will help pay for protective gear and other equipment as costs continue to climb.
The Town of Ridgeway presented the check during its July 4 celebration. The funding comes through the Virginia Fire Programs Fund, for which the town applies annually.
Mayor Craig O’Der said Ridgeway has successfully secured grants ranging from $10,000 to $15,000 each year for the past 12 years.
“These annual grants have enabled the department to purchase vital firefighting equipment and protective gear without placing additional financial burdens on our local volunteers or taxpayers,” O’Der said.
Department Treasurer John Adams said the money will be used for equipment the department needs most, including turnout gear, helmets and extrication equipment.
“It could be turnout gear, helmets, extrication equipment. We make the determination of what we’re most in dire need of and apply that funding to those items,” he said.
The department plans to meet later this month to determine its priorities before seeking bids from vendors.
“And go with whatever the cheapest is that meets the specs,” Adams said.
Adams said the grant is especially valuable because the cost of firefighting equipment has risen sharply.
“It helps greatly. Last year with the funding we bought hydraulic extrication equipment, commonly referred to as the ‘Jaws of Life.’ That one piece of equipment used the whole $15,000 grant,” he said.
O’Der said rising costs for turnout gear and other protective equipment have created financial challenges for volunteer departments across the region.
“This grant will allow the Town of Ridgeway to assist the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department by helping offset these rising costs and ensuring our firefighters have the equipment they need to perform their duties safely,” O’Der said.
Adams said a single set of turnout gear now costs nearly twice what it did just a few years ago.
“Six years ago, a set of turnout gear — pants, boots, coat, helmet, gloves, a hood — you could equip a guy for about $4,000 to $5,000. Now, it’s running you $8,000 to $10,000, and that’s per person,” he said.
