In March 2020, Central Pierce Fire and Rescue, Washington, took delivery of an $800,000 Rescue 61 (GSO 11050) from KME. CPFR won an FY 2017 fire grant from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, with grant writing and consulting assistance from Kurt Bradley at First Responder Grants.
Dubbed “Clyde,” the Heavy Rescue has already seen service on the old bridges, forest roads, and rugged terrain of Washington state. During a cliffside rescue incident outside of Mount Rainier National Park, in the middle of the night Clyde provided scene lighting, personnel transport, and rehab (not to mention fresh coffee, thanks to a Kuerig coffeemaker added by the CPFR team after taking delivery of Clyde.)
“Central Pierce is a key reminder that fire service organizations nationwide can get crucial funding for their operations, training, and equipment, including vehicles and apparatus,” says Kurt Bradley, Senior Grant Consultant with First Responder Grants. “Their needs assessment, understanding of the data needed to back up their application, and ability to state a clear case made them stand out. Now they have a new vehicle crucial to protecting their community and personnel.”