JOHNSTOWN, CAMBRIA COUNTY--- The Oakland Volunteer Fire Department is hoping to attract and retain members with a $194,500 grant.
The department was awarded the SAFER Grant on Monday.
"It's for recruiting and retaining members not equipment," said Tom Callihan, department administrator. "There are a lot of benefits to it- we're hoping to entice the younger generation to join."
The grant money will help the volunteer department do the following:
-Funding to complete a bunk room for live in firefighters.
-Funding for advertising and media to get the word out that firefighters are needed.
-Funding to provide our active firefighters with supplemental health and injury insurance.
-Funding to provide incentives to attend training and emergency calls. (This will be in the form of gift cards based on the number of calls made.)
-Physicals for all new members.
Deputy Chief Ronald Helsel said he has seen a lot of changes over the years and hopes this grant encourage new members.
"Being a firefighter it's in your blood," said Helsel. "I hope to pass on what I've learned to the next generation."
The department was awarded the SAFER Grant on Monday.
"It's for recruiting and retaining members not equipment," said Tom Callihan, department administrator. "There are a lot of benefits to it- we're hoping to entice the younger generation to join."
The grant money will help the volunteer department do the following:
-Funding to complete a bunk room for live in firefighters.
-Funding for advertising and media to get the word out that firefighters are needed.
-Funding to provide our active firefighters with supplemental health and injury insurance.
-Funding to provide incentives to attend training and emergency calls. (This will be in the form of gift cards based on the number of calls made.)
-Physicals for all new members.
Deputy Chief Ronald Helsel said he has seen a lot of changes over the years and hopes this grant encourage new members.
"Being a firefighter it's in your blood," said Helsel. "I hope to pass on what I've learned to the next generation."
