HFD gets Critical New Equipment Thanks to $19 Thousand Grant
February 6, 2008
Today, Fire Chief Phil Boriskie accepted a grant of $19,635 from a joint grant funded by Houston-based Wortham Insurance & Risk Management and Fireman's Fund Insurance Company.
The donation will be used to purchase more than 80 high voltage electricity detectors, otherwise known as AC HotSticks ® . The devices are sensitive AC voltage detectors designed specifically for search and rescue operations. They can detect any exposed and dangerous wire or voltage-carrying surfaces from a safe distance.
“Since you cannot see, hear or smell electricity, we hope this new equipment will give firefighters the help they need in those types of situations,” said Charles Flournoy, vice chairman of Wortham Insurance & Risk Management. “We're proud to help the department in such a meaningful way.”
Executive Assistant Chief Daniel Snell who helped obtain this grant, said HFD is proud to receive this grant which will not only add increase safety for firefighters, but also the citizens. He also added that the Texas Task Force teams have used this device and it is approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Boriskie, who re-iterated that safety is near and dear to the fire department, said that "these new tools will enable crews to scan an emergency scene from a safe distance for high levels of electricity that may be present."
The idea to use the grant funds for these AC HotSticks ® was suggested by Boriskie after he spoke with a district chief in Southeast Houston regarding a firefighter that had been badly electrocuted while battling a house fire. According to the district chief, this was the most painful thing he had ever seen one of his fellow firefighters go through
The grant package is part of a nationwide program called Fireman's Fund Heritage ® which is funded by Fireman's Fund Insurance Company. The program is designed to provide needed equipment, training and educational tools to local fire departments. Since 2004, Fireman's Fund has issued grants to hundreds of different departments totaling more than $16 million. Independent insurance agencies that sell Fireman's Fund products are able to direct these grants to support fire stations in their communities. Wortham Insurance & Risk Management was instrumental in directing this specific one to Houston.
