Claremont Fire Department receives grants

By GLYNIS HART
[email protected]
CLAREMONT – The fire department has been awarded a $30,000 grant from the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to buy two electronic message boards. These stand-alone units are often seen near construction sites and along highways to display a repeating message to drivers.

The grant required a “soft match” from the city of 50 percent of the value of the grant. Fire Chief Bryan Burr told the city council that Claremont’s purchase of the K9 police cruiser fulfilled the matching requirement. 

The electronic messaging boards will be deployed as needed anywhere in the city and when not in use will be stored at the fire department barn. They are solar-controlled and made in the United States.

The department also received a $1,500 grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation. That and Federal Emergency Management Agency funds were used together to purchase 25 personal carbon monoxide alarms, which will be worn by members of the police and fire departments.

According to Fire Chief Bryan Burr, last spring several police and firefighters were hospitalized after being exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide (CO) when they responded to an incident at Belding Street. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that can only be detected by carbon monoxide reading devices, such as the ones being purchased. Seven of the devices have been installed in police cruisers and the rest will be worn by first-on-site fire personnel. Officials anticipate no additional cost to the taxpayer for the purchase.