Jackson Township Fire Dept. receives free gear | News

Globe, DuPont, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have partnered to give away sets of state-of-the-art Globe gear to fire departments in need in honor of Globe's 125th anniversary this year. The Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Department in Gentryville was one of two departments to receive the gear.

Jackson Township will receive 12 sets of gear for its firefighters.  The department  serves a 29-square-mile area in Spencer County and provides mutual aid to two neighboring departments.

With a low operating budget that only covers insurance, fuel, and maintenance, the department struggles to raise money to pay for equipment and gear. Recent budget cuts in Indiana have made local government assistance to purchase new gear impossible, and the department has had limited success applying for grants to support this need.

"Our current turnout gear is old and many of the coats and pants are badly worn or damaged," said Captain Mark Spellmeyer in the application. "We would greatly benefit from receiving this donation of gear because it would increase our firefighters' safety by providing them with adequate gear to wear."

The Bolar Volunteer Fire Department in Highland County, VA also received sets of gear.