Rio Grande Fire Department

This page shows equipment that has been purchased either through donations ( either direct or thru fund raising events ) or grants.   Thanks to all who have supported the Rio Grande Fire Department over the years.

• Twelve new MSA Air packs and  were purchased in 2005 through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant. The grant paid 90% of the cost while the Village picked up the other 10%. These air packs replaced our aging fleet of packs that were purchased back in the 70's and 80's. The total cost of the project was $67,000 to which the village only had to pay $6'700.

• A Breathing  Air Fill Station was purchased in 2005 to replace our old one that was non -compliant to today's standards. This was made possible by using some left over money from the Air Pack project and some donation money that was given to the Department in the name of Captain Dan Morgan who passed away from cancer in 2005. The total cost of this project was $ 5, 500.  A memorial plague and a picture of  Dan is mounted on the wall above the fill station.
  

• A thermal imaging camera was purchased in 2008  with a combination of a grant and donations. The camera is primarily used for finding a victim inside of a burning building. The camera can also be used for finding people in wooded areas, finding hot spots  and locating overheated electrical equipment. The approximate cost of the camera was $11,000.

• An automatic Defibrillator  ( AED ) was purchased in 2008 with a combination of a grant and donations. The AED is used during the time a person is having a cardiac event and enables early defibrillation before EMS crews can arrive.This type of unit has been credited with saving thousands of lives in world. The approximate cost of the unit was $1200.

• A rescue basket stretcher was purchased in 2008 with donation money. A rescue basket stretcher is used primarily during rescue situations in wooded areas or unstable terrain. The basket offers a safer means of transporting an injured person out of these types of areas. The approximate cost of the stretcher was $ 1200.

• A Res-Q-Jack system was purchased in March 2009 with donation money. This system has several different functions in the fire service. The main function is to stabilize vehicles involved in accidents. These jacks will enable us to stabilize the vehicle so that we may work safely around the vehicle and prevent any further injuries to the patients in the vehicle. This system can also be used for things like forcible entry, confined space rescue, stabilization of buildings , and lifting heavy objects  such as at tractor accidents.The cost of this system is approximately $6,000.

• Purchased by donations in March of 2009, these reflective hot pink traffic safety signs will help ensure the safety of firefighting and emergency personnel during roadway incidents. The total cost of the two 4 x 4 ft. signs purchased was approximately $600. Accidents by passing motorists during emergency situations are one of the leading causes of firefighter injury or death. The signs will warn motorists of the danger ahead, allowing them time to slow down before reaching the scene of the accident.