Columbia County on Monday also handed out a few grants of its own in the form of two $5,000 community aid grants to help improve the McNeil Rural Fire Department and the Walkerville Volunteer Fire Department.
In a grant request letter to the county, McNeil Rural Fire Department Chief Jake Price asked for funds to help purchase two sets of new firefighter turnout gear for the agency. Turnout gear includes the flame-resistant equipment worn by firefighters during an emergency call. The equipment can be expensive. The cost of two full sets of gear, according to Price, is just over $5,000.
“Our department is steadily growing, and (Columbia County’s) willingness to help us has helped tremendously over the years,” said Price in his grant request.
Walkerville VFD also received approval for a $5,000 community aid grant by the Quorum Court. The funds will be used to help purchase a 16-foot by 24-foot portable building to be used as a training and office building at the department.