Garrettsville – The Garrettsville-Freedom-Nelson Joint Fire District is excited and grateful to report the recent donation of $45,977. This donation was from the 50/50 raffle being held in conjunction with the Queen of Hearts at Sky Lane Bowling. The 50/50 raffle proceeds were split with the Portage County Animal Protective League. This allows the District to realize many improvements such as replacing the ice rescue suits that take on water, replacing the remaining nozzles that are severely outdated, replacing the last pieces of 4” supply hose that are 20+ years old and insufficient in meeting current NFPA code, and replacing a water manifold for Tanker 1628.
Rope rescue operations will benefit from the replacement of rescue harnesses that are 22+ years old. These are the harnesses that are worn during high angle rescues at Nelson Ledges State Park. Finally, perhaps the circa 1977 refrigerator and stove can be retired after a respectable length of service.
It should be noted that the District was recently turned down for a Federal FEMA AFG Grant, asking for $25,000 to complete the hose/nozzle replacement project that has been ongoing. This donation will accommodate the funds that FEMA denied, plus much more. It comes at a great time, and is appreciated to say the least. All proceeds will be put toward uses that would be directly funded by tax-payer raised funds.
