Buffalo County Rural Fire Protection District receives grant for jaws of life
(Gann Valley, SD) — The Buffalo County Rural Fire Protection District was recently awarded a $2,500 grant from Central Electric Cooperative’s Operation Round-Up® program. The funds were used toward the purchase of jaws of life emergency equipment.
Fire Chief Derek Zastrow said the new battery-operated equipment will expedite rescue efforts when responding to vehicle accidents. He shared that the community experienced a fatal vehicle accident last summer, which made the upgraded jaws of life equipment that much more of a necessity.
“Before this, our tools were all donated by other fire departments. They were worn and could not effectively cut through door posts an pins,” he said. “And time is everything in a vehicle accident.”
Zastrow explained that raising funds to make the $22,000 purchase was a community effort. The Fall Ball dance, t-shirt sales during the 136th community celebration, charitable grants and other local fundraising efforts enabled the fire department to secure the upgraded equipment.
Tara Miller, manager of communications at Central Electric Cooperative, said, “This equipment has the potential to save lives in Buffalo County and the surrounding areas. We are glad to support the cause, and we thank our participating members for making this grant possible.”
Operation Round-Up is a voluntary program in which Central Electric members’ bills are rounded to the next whole dollar. The extra cents collected flow into a charitable fund to make a direct impact in the communities of Central Electric members.
Each county in Central Electric’s service territory has a representative at the table to award grants two times per year. Ellen Speck of Gann Valley was appointed to represent Buffalo County by Central Electric Cooperative Director Donita Loudner of Fort Thompson.
The next grant application deadline is May 2. For more information about the Operation Round-Up program, please contact Central Electric Cooperative at 1-800-477-2892 or visit www.centralec.coop and click on Member Programs.