The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Local churches launch 2021 Volunteer Fire & Ambulance Grant Fundraising
CANASTOTA, N.Y. » Though delayed by ongoing Covid-related issues, the Canastota Area Association of Churches (CAAC) began their annual Volunteer First Responder Grant Program this week, with appeal letters sent to area businesses, civic groups, and individuals who have supported the program in the past.
These vital grants are an opportunity for Canastota’s four volunteer organizations to acquire needed equipment or “shore-up” program expenses, officials say.
What impact does this grant program have? To get an idea, officers from each group were recently asked about what they did with their funds. This listing illustrates the variety of priorities that these flexible grants allow each company to accomplish:
Canastota VFD used their 2019 grant on extrication tools to speed-up getting injured people out of crushed automobile wrecks, increasing their chances of survival and recovery. Their 2020 funds went toward a large supply of the decontamination chemicals that the Covid-pandemic requires them to use on each call.
The Greater Lenox Ambulance Service (GLAS) used their 2020 grant toward the installation of new auto-loading stretchers in both of their ambulances. The GLAS officers noted that these labor-savers cost far less than the treatment of one EMT should they injure their back while loading patients onboard.
The Lincoln VFD is purchasing a commercial capacity ice-making machine that will serve them in many ways; a large supply of ice is beneficial during hot fire scenes to pack onto overheated victims and firefighters, but will also help refrigerate food on the days of their famous fund-raising barbeques.
The Wampsville VFD recently bought a new rescue squad truck. The grant money will help them outfit it with improved brush firefighting equipment, a frequent need in the territory they cover.
The needs of each corps are different as night and day, CAAC officials say, but the grant money is often what each department needs to reach its goals. Proud of the work area men and women rescue responders do, the Canastota Area Assn. of Churches says it is a privilege to help them.
To assist in their planning this year, the CAAC has targeted the 2020 grants to be increased to at least $1,500 for each company. How the grant checks will be distributed is yet to be determined.