Weyauwega receives $62,400 FEMA grant

Weyauwega Firefighter Casey Schalkowski models the new turnout gear. Submitted Photo

An Assistance to Firefighters Grant resulted in new turnout gear for Weyauwega firefighters.

The new gear arrived on May 23.

“This is one grant departments can access,” said Assistant Fire Chief Dan Nehring.

The grant is through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The agency appropriated a total of $306 million to departments nationwide during the most recent fiscal year.

The Weyauwega Fire Department’s grant totaled $62,400, which includes the department’s local share of 5 percent, Nehring said.

It was in late 2014 that the department applied for the funds.

After learning last year their grant application was successful, a committee was established.

“It went through five different vendors to determine what materials are out there and what would best suit our needs,” he said.

The Quaker brand was chosen through Oshkosh Fire and Police Equipment.

Nehring said the new turnout gear is more lightweight while offering better protection for those wearing it.

“There’s less fatigue on the firefighters,” he said.

Specifically built for firefighters, the gear features new technology.

The grant covered most of the cost of purchasing new turnout gear for the department, with the board deciding to purchase a few more.
Nehring said the department will keep the old turnout gear for spares.

“We’re learning there’s a lot of carcinogens in fires now,” he said. “After a fire, we will wash the gear and then the other sets will be available if necessary.”

This is the second time the department received an Assistance to Firefighters Grant.

When the department received the grant in 2004, it used the funds to purchase air packs, Nehring said.