The Lutsen Fire Department learned in December 2010 that it was successful in its grant request for a new tanker/tender. After four years of applying for funds from the Assistance to Firefighters grant program, the Lutsen Fire Department will be receiving a grant of $152,594 from the fiscal year 2010 program.
Firefighter John Groth, who worked with grant writer Scott Dane, said the grant is a “95/5” grant in which the township will be responsible for 5 percent of the cost. The total cost of the new tanker/tender is expected to be $160,625, with the township paying $8,031.
The Lutsen Fire Department has been preparing for the purchase of new vehicles for the fire department and rescue squad for many years. The Lutsen Fire Truck fund totals $86,826. That fund will be used for the grant matching funds.
The Lutsen Fire Truck Committee met to write the specifications for the truck and at the January 18 Lutsen town meeting asked supervisors for authorization to advertise for bids for the new truck. Bids are due to the town clerk on Monday, February 14. Bids will be opened at the township regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 15, but a decision won’t be made until a special meeting on February 22 to give the fire department time to review the bids.
The Assistance to Firefighters grant program is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. In 2007, the fire department received a grant for six new air packs; in 2008 it received a grant for a Thermal Imaging Camera; and in 2009, the department was awarded a grant for training software and equipment.
Groth said, “In the past five years, the Lutsen Fire Department has raised over $350,000 in grants and donations for fire trucks and equipment, saving the cost of these items from the township taxpayers.”
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