On Monday, Dec. 16, North Carolina Department of Insurance and the Office of State Fire Marshal awarded Saluda Fire and Rescue Inc. an $11,000 Rescue Grant for 2013.
The grant assists rescue organizations in the purchase of equipment and other necessary capital expenditures.
Rescue organizations match the grant on a dollar-for-dollar basis, which will total $22,000 awarded.
The grant will enable Saluda Fire and Rescue to purchase equipment and personal protective clothing used in swiftwater emergencies.
The grant is funded through the North Carolina Vehicle Safety and Emissions Inspection with .18 cents from every inspection going toward the grant.
The equipment purchased with the grant monies will qualify the department to become a swiftwater rescue provider, per standards set by the NC Association of Rescue and EMS.
In addition, Saluda Fire and Rescue will become eligible as a NIMS Type III Swiftwater Rescue Team through the North Carolina Emergency Management as a local and state deployable resource.
Saluda Fire and Rescue strives to provide the highest level of service to the citizens of Saluda, Polk and Henderson counties.
– article submitted
by Adam Justus