ISHPEMING, MICHIGAN – The Ishpeming Volunteer Fire Department received notification that we would receive our 4th Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant “FEMA AFG” Competitive Grant in the amount of $25,276 . Through a risk needs assessment by the Ishpeming Volunteer Fire Department it was determined that new fire hose, including large diameter supply hose was needed to ensure the safety of our firefighters as well as our citizens. The 2013 FEMA AFG Grant requires a local match of 5% of the overall cost of the project. The Federal Government’s 2013 FEMA AFG Competitive Grant Program share is $24,013 with a local 5% match from the City of Ishpeming $1,263
The Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant “FEMA AFG” funding will be used to purchase 1,600’ of 4” Supply Hose, 2,100’ of 2 1/2“ and 3” Attack Hose and 800’ of 1 3/4” Attack Hose. The fire department had begun to upgrade its 1 1/2” fire hose to 1 3/4” fire hose over the last 4 or 5 years, much of the remaining fire hose in the departments inventory is 25 to 30 years old. The National Fire Protection Association “NFPA” is now recommending replacing fire hose on a 10 year basis, however due to budget constraints the department has not been able to replace its all it’s aging hose.
The new fire hose will be compatible with our C.A.F.S. foam system on our 2005 fire truck. The larger fire hose will be capable of combating todays hotter burning fires. Firefighters’ today encounter fires that are hotter and faster spreading than 15 or 20 years ago because of building construction materials and synthetic furniture of a home in todays homes. If you were to look at a desk, couch, or building material that was manufactured in the 1980’s or early 1990’s you will find more solid wood desks, furniture and building materials. Today’s furniture is built with wood chips, saw dust and glue. Same can be said for the I-Beam joists that are installed in newer and remodeled homes today all these materials burn faster and hotter. The departments old 1 1/2” hose could flow about 125 GPM (or gallons per minute) which was acceptable 20 years ago. Today the NFPA recommends 180 GPM a minute to combat the house fires that we are experiencing today. With this 2013 FEMA AFG grant we will now be able to equip our firefighters with new fire hose that is capable of delivering 200 GPM with the 1 3/4” fire hose. The new 4” Supply Hose will be able to flow more water to the fire trucks because on new fire hose liner technology. Smoother fire hose liners means reducing friction loss and improving water flow characteristics. Our current 4” Supply Hose is heavy and hard to repack onto the fire trucks and has high friction loss characteristics with less water flow. The new 4” supply hose will have a tougher outer double jacket, be lighter and easier to repack onto the fire trucks.
The Ishpeming Volunteer Fire Department would like to thank the continued support of U.S. Senator’s Levin, Stabenow and their support staff. I’d like to extend a special thank you to Elizabeth Reed, Senator Levin’s Community Affairs Specialist working out of the Escanaba Office for all her help.
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