(Bridgewater) The Bridgewater, Iowa Fire Department is one of 150 volunteer fire departments nationwide to receive a $10,000 grant through the State Farm Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program.
In collaboration with the National Volunteer Fire Council, State Farm awarded $1.5 million in grants to help local fire departments purchase equipment to improve responder safety, effectiveness, and their ability to serve their communities.
The Bridgewater Fire Department will use the grant to purchase two Scott AirPak Pro SCBA fire and rescue breathing apparatus units, complete with masks and two air bottles. The equipment will be purchased from Feld Fire in Carroll.
A Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) is a portable system that supplies firefighters with clean, compressed air. The equipment protects firefighters from thick smoke, toxic gases, dangerous chemicals, and low-oxygen environments during fires and rescue missions.
The new equipment will replace aging SCBA units and help keep Bridgewater firefighters better equipped.
The grant application was written by department treasurer Douglas Miller.
The Bridgewater Fire Department serves the city of Bridgewater as well as residents in Jackson, Washington, and parts of Eureka townships in Adair County. The all-volunteer department currently has 20 active members.
Fire Chief Daryl Christensen says having the proper equipment is essential to keeping firefighters safe and effective.
The State Farm Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program is in its third year. The program recognizes the importance of volunteer fire departments, particularly in rural and small-town communities where departments often operate with limited budgets and face challenges securing funding for critical equipment.
In addition to the grants, State Farm provided the first 2,000 applicants with a one-year membership to the National Volunteer Fire Council, giving them access to additional tools, resources, and training.
