By Taylor Boyd
The Town of Ridgeway presented a $15,000 check to the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department on Wednesday, Oct. 1. The funding comes through the Virginia Fire Programs Fund, for which the town applied earlier this year.
“We’re glad to support them in any way,” Mayor Craig O’Der said.
The department has not yet decided how to spend the grant. Treasurer John Adams said officers will determine the most pressing needs, which could include turnout gear, hoses, or other equipment.
President Tim Decker said the department is considering replacing aging extrication equipment, which are tools used to rescue entrapped people from vehicles. “Some of that stuff is getting so old it’s getting more and more maintenance, it’s getting hard to use. It just needs to be updated,” he said.
Decker noted the rising cost of equipment. A new Airpack costs about $10,000, and a hydraulic rescue tool, commonly called the Jaws of Life, costs roughly $14,000-$15,000. “Needless to say, we’re very appreciative of the grant,” Adams said. The program “allocates funds based on population, and we’re very fortunate that Henry County and the Town of Ridgeway are participants in that program.”
“We’re a teetotal volunteer organization. We have to do everything we can to fundraise to keep the money flowing,” Decker said.
O’Der said he plans to meet with Del. Eric Phillips, R-Martinsville, about possibly increasing state funding for local fire departments in the next General Assembly session.
Adams also said the department recently mailed donation letters to the community. Those wishing to contribute can mail donations to P.O. Box 4, Ridgeway, VA 24148.
Like other volunteer organizations, the fire department is constantly looking for new members.
“The cost of equipment and members is an equally important aspect,” Adams said, “Membership for most departments in Henry County are down…there’s not a lot of people looking to do this for nothing.”
Those interested in volunteering with the Ridgeway Fire Department should get an application from the Henry County Public Safety website or come to its monthly meeting on the third Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m.
