Just in time for Fire Prevention Week, October 6-12, the Eureka Springs Fire Department has announced that it is one of 100 volunteer fire departments across the nation to receive a $10,000 grant through the State Farm Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program.

In collaboration with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), State Farm has awarded $1 million in grants to help local fire departments obtain needed equipment to increase their responders’ safety, effectiveness and ability to serve their community.

With this grant, the Eureka Springs Fire Department will be able to purchase one Multi-RAE Lite Four Gas Meter and two RexONE All Terrain carts.

The MultiRAE Lite Four Gas Meter will enhance the fire department’s ability to identify and mitigate hazardous environments involving common harmful byproducts of combustion. This increases safety for both first responders and the public by measuring levels of oxygen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and other volatile organic compounds.

Each one of the Rex-ONE All Terrain carts will be placed on the first-out ambulances as a tool to help extricate patients from wilderness areas when they are unable to do so themselves. With the ever-growing network of mountain biking trails and recreational areas, these carts will reduce the risk of injury to first responders and increase the safety and comfort for patients when removing them from those areas.

The Eureka Springs Fire Department responds to all hazards within the City of Eureka Springs and the surrounding rural area. The department is also contracted through the Western Carroll County Ambulance District (WCCAD) to provide two staffed Advance Life Support (ALS) ambulances for all EMS calls located in the Western Carroll County District.