Nichols Fire Department receives grant

Russ Grim, Fire Chief of the Nichols Volunteer Fire Department is pleased to announce the approval of a grant application submitted to Joseph and Edward Ryan Memorial Trust in the amount of $35,200.00 for the purchase of new protective gear.

“One of the primary goals of the Nichols Volunteer Fire Department is the safety of the firefighters and the community. The upgrade of the personal equipment will keep the firefighters safe and allow us to meet statutory requirements to assist in implementing interoperability within our regional fire departments, and allow us to respond to all hazards safely,” stated Grim.

A risk assessment of the existing personal protective equipment was completed, and determined that an equipment upgrade was necessary in order to be complaint with NFPA and OSHA standards. The existing protective equipment ranged in age from thirteen to fifteen years, and was not safe or reliable.

The Nichols Volunteer Fire Department currently has twenty-two active volunteer firefighters. The Fire Department serves the town of Nichols with a population of 363 people, the surrounding rural community with a population of 1000 people, and provides mutual aide to the surrounding communities of West Liberty, Atalissa, Muscatine, Conesville, and Lone Tree.

The Nichols Volunteer Fire Department also submitted a grant request in the amount of $318,250 to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, FEMA Homeland Security to acquire a new Pumper Apparatus.