The Ellendale Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant in the amount of $56,817.14. The local fire department will pay a 5 percent match of $2,840.86, for a total of $59,658.
Ellendale VFD plans to purchase a fill station for the purpose of filling self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) cylinders used for firefighter personal protective equipment.
According to Fire Marshal Mark Earle, when Ellendale gets its fill station in place, all eight fire departments in Alexander County will have their own compressed air system to fill the SCBA cylinders.