A grant benefiting Indialantic fire rescue will save the town nearly $26,000.
The Florida Firefighter Assistance Grant is specifically aimed at volunteer and combination fire departments to assist in expanding their emergency response capabilities. In this case the grant will allow the department to purchase three sets of bunker gear, which include a firefighting coat, pants, helmet and boots, and three new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs).
Established in 1965, Indialantic Fire Rescue is a combination department, meaning they have both paid and volunteer firefighters. The staff is comprised of 13 volunteers and seven paid firefighters, including Fire Chief Tom Flamm.
Flamm said they have been trying to upgrade their older SCBAs for several years. “We currently have SCBAs on one of our trucks that require a different face mask which is a safety hazard for us,” Flamm said. “With the purchase of these three SCBAs, we will be able to resolve that issue.”
As for the bunker gear, the National Fire Protection Administration requires fire departments remove from service any part of the gear ensemble that’s over 10 years old.
“This grant will allow us to replace some of that gear as well as outfit a volunteer that does not currently have bunker gear,” Flamm said. “This grant will ultimately save the town $25,899.70.”
Currently the department’s equipment includes a 1,250-gpm fire engine; a 75-foot aerial ladder truck; one squad which carries water rescue equipment; one jet ski; one four-wheel-drive all-terrain vehicle used for beach rescue; and a staff car used by the chief.
In October, the town council unanimously agreed to approve the agreement with the Florida Department of Financial Services and accept the grant after a motion by Councilman Dick Dunn.
“In the October council meeting I spoke about the topic to acknowledge Chief Flamm for his outstanding service, to not only the town of Indialantic and our Fire Department, but also his proactive dedication to the citizens of Indialantic by saving taxpayers $25,000,” Dunn said.
“Chief Flamm is a dedicated public servant.”
