Suches FD receives grant

Theresa Rice and Betty Lynch from Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. present the Grant check to Lt. Ernie Pruitt.

On the afternoon of Friday, December 8 there was a gathering at the fire department in Suches. Present were a large number of firefighters, a large contingent of employees from The Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, representatives of Union County Government and members of the community. The purpose of the occasion was the presentation of a grant check in the amount of $30,533.31 to the department for search and rescue equipment and training. The “Bucket Brigade” grant program is one where the process is started by Fireman’s Fund employees to benefit their local fire departments. Betty Lynch, a long time Suches resident, is one of those people. She contacted station chief, Lt. Ernie Pruitt who put together a committee to handle the application. Members of the committee are Sgt. Jim Miner, Cpls Bernie Fontaine and C.O. Woody and Terry Piper. These men worked with Ms. Lynch and Ms Theresa Rice, the grant coordinator for the Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company. The grant specifies that all the money be spent for search and rescue but the department can determine priorities and obtain material from a submitted list. The one item on the list that was a “must-buy” was an All-terrain Vehicle. The department was able to decide on which of several would best suit needs and where it was available at the best price. When it turned out that the supplier was fairly nearby, members picked it up on Thursday in time for the Friday presentation and it quickly became a high point of the gathering.

At the presentation ceremony, Ms. Rice spoke briefly about the Bucket Brigade program and introduced Ms. Lynch who then gave the oversized Presentation check to Lt. Pruitt. After his acceptance and thanks, Lt. Pruitt turned the floor over to County Fire Chief Charles Worden who spoke briefly and introduced Union County Commissioner Lamar Paris who also thanked the Fireman’s Fund for their generosity

and noted the work done by the department in improving their capability to serve the community.

After the ceremony, all present adjourned to the department day room for refreshments and yet another look at the new ATV. The department wishes to thank the Gaddistown Homemakers who assisted by decorating the station and serving the refreshments. Those homemakers involved were Lexi Adkins, Pat Kunka, Marie Piper (who provided a lovely Christmas themed table centerpiece) and Sandy Ragland (who provided, made and served the punch).

The Suches Fire Department wishes to thank all those people in the community who participated in this shared effort to improve the community we live in.