Gardiner Fire Dept Receives Grant to Purchase Modernized Emergency Equipment

The City of Gardiner Fire Department (GFD) is pleased to announce it has been awarded an Assistance to Firefighters Grant in the amount of $70,929. This federally funded grant from the US Department of Homeland Security will be utilized to replace the GFD’s vehicle extrication equipment, helping to save lives and be much safer for staff to operate.

The hydraulically operated equipment the GFD currently uses to assist in removing individuals from their vehicles involved in an accident is nearly two decades old. Not only is the equipment heavier and more cumbersome than the modernized battery operated tools, with changes in vehicle construction and uses of different metals, the GFD staff have encountered situations where these older tools simply could not accomplish the task safely or effectively. This funding will provide new extrication equipment for the department’s Fire Engine 1 as well as tools for each ambulance. The new equipment will be lighter and much easier to deploy, effectively enabling rescue staff to assist those in crisis much quicker.

“The improvements in extrication equipment, especially battery operated equipment, is a game changer,” said Fire Chief Rick Sieberg. “Small departments like Gardiner do not have the luxury of excess man power. Being able to grab a tool and immediately go to work is huge. When tending to traumatic injuries time is critical. These tools will enable us to get people out of the vehicle, into the ambulance and ultimately to the trauma center faster, which will save lives. We are very excited and extremely thankful for this opportunity.”

Providing primary rescue service to an area that spans 250 square miles and covers eight towns and two counties, the GFD serves a combined population of over 25,000 and an receives about 3,500 emergency calls each year. As the only full-time professional fire department within this large area, GFD is usually the first emergency personnel to arrive on the scene of an emergency. Replacing aging extrication equipment was identified by Chief Sieberg as a high priority after performing an internal risk assessment. After extensive in service training, the new equipment will be placed on the fire engine and ambulances, improving firefighter safety as well as the citizens served by the GFD.

“Anytime we can add critical components to our trucks that increase the likelihood that a life is saved it is a win for us all, and in this case we are able to do that without hitting the pockets of our tax payers,” said Gardiner City Manager Andrew Carlton. “I want to thank Chief Sieberg for exploring opportunities like this so that we can better serve our community.”  

The primary goal of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations. Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.