Manh Choh grant used to purchase new turnout gear

One more volunteer firefighter has a new set of turnout gear thanks to a $5,000 grant from the Manh Choh Community Foundation.

Rural Deltana Volunteer Fire Department Chief Josh Olsen explained that the turnout gear is the latest in firefighting technology. The set of gear is tailored to the individual firefighter and includes two hoods, a helmet, coat, suspenders, pants, and boots. Volunteer Firefighter Austyn Haider was the recipient.

“This is an expensive industry,” said Chief Olsen, noting the gear’s cost was close to $6,500. “We’re thankful for the support from Manh Choh.”

Chief Olsen said Haider’s gear was received and placed in service just last month. Last year Delta Industrial Services donated funds for four new sets, which were placed into service last winter.

The National Fire Protection Association, which sets standards for fire safety, requires gear to be replaced every seven years or if damaged. 

“All our gear, with the exception of these five sets, are expired or facing expiration, so we could use several more sets,” Chief Olsen explained. “This new gear is better in many ways. It’s more flexible, offering greater range of motion, custom measured for each individual, much better insulation technology, helping in firefighting and cold weather operations.”

On a recent Thursday evening, RDVFD and Delta Junction Fire Department volunteers were training on egress tactics, which included turning a window into a door to quickly bring out a downed individual inside a burning building. The firefighters also worked on running box drills, which is the initial fire attack. A local property owner is wanting some land cleared that has several abandoned trailer houses on it. The landowner has donated the trailer houses for volunteer firefighters to use for training purposes.

In other RDVFD news, the department has had tankers and operators assisting on the Mukluk Fire in Tok. Two tankers have hauled an estimated 400,000 gallons of water from the Tok Fire Department to crews on the Mukluk Fire’s front lines. Each truck holds 2,250 gallons of water.

Chief Olsen expects the trucks to be released soon as fire behavior settles down, requiring less water usage.