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| Photo by: FF Eric Martin |
| St. Simons Island Volunteers present Station
7 with brand new equipment. Standing Left to Right: Vol. Bill Mason, Vol. Jo
Mason, 1st Assistant Chief Steve Beherns, & FF Robbie Payne. Kneeling Left
to Right: Vol. Dianne Walters, Vol. Mike Guenther, Capt. Jon Hardwick, FF
Eric Martin, and Vol. Andy Jones |
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St. Simons Island, Ga. - Tuesday,
March 23, 2004 the St. Simons Volunteers participated in a joint training
exercise with Station 7. Station 7 is one of St. Simons Island 3 stations and
the newest station fire station on St. Simons Island. The station is only 3
years old. Engine 7, which also came on line in 2000, did not have a positive
pressure ventilation fan, K-12 cutting saw, or some needed inch an a half
connectors.
Shortly into the training exercise Volunteer Andy Jones showed Station Captain,
Jon Hardwick what was in his truck. The volunteers had recently purchased some
badly needed equipment. The biggest item was a Honda Positive Pressure
Ventilation Fan. Then Hardwick lifted a box and at first felt the box was
empty. Inside was the lightest gas powered cutting saw he had ever lifted. The
brand was a Univent Pro-Saw. Additional equipment included sets of inch and a
half male, female, couplings, and reducers - Kochek models. All equipment is
considered top-of-the line when it comes to firefighting use. FF Eric Martin,
also assigned at Station 7 felt that Christmas had arrived, all over again.
"The PPV was especially needed as anytime we encounter smoke in buildings we
have had to use electric equipment to expel the smoke," he said. "We have had
this equipment on our wish list for quiet sometime," he continued.
It was Volunteer Chief Joe Combs that first found out about the need for the
equipment. He then discussed it with 1st Assistant Chief Steve Beherns. The
subject of Station 7's needs was brought up at the regular St. Simons Island
Volunteer meeting and everyone was in agreement to purchase the equipment. It
was at The Florida Fire Chief's Association Expo in Jacksonville, Florida, that
the Volunteer purchasing committee evaluated the equipment. The search
committee included 1st Assistant Chief Beherns, and 2nd Assistant Chief Rip
Revels. They evaluated some good equipment but settled for the best they could
find.
Every year The St. Simons Island Volunteers purchase equipment to assist The
Glynn County Fire Department. In the past sections of large diameter hose (LDH)
was purchased for engines on St. Simons, privacy fence for the stations, a
patio, storage for their antique fire truck and many other needed gifts. The
St. Simons Volunteers send calendars out to property owners on St. Simons and
much of their funds come back to them in the form of donations from the public.
The group is composed of approximately 25 Volunteers.
The St. Simons Volunteers do so much for Glynn County. They not only save
county tax-payers money by supplying manpower, giving of themselves freely and
unselfishly, but they reach into their pockets time and time again to give
needed equipment.
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