Hermiston fire district gets $10,000 grant from Wildhorse Foundation
HERMISTON — Umatilla County Fire District No. 1 has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Wildhorse Foundation to assist with the purchase of new firefighting turnout gear for district firefighters.
Turnout gear is one of the most critical pieces of equipment firefighters use. The gear provides protection from extreme heat, flames, hazardous environments, and other life-threatening conditions.
The grant will help offset the high cost of replacing aging turnout gear, allowing the district to continue equipping firefighters with gear that meets current safety standards. One complete set of structural turnout gear, including a coat, pants, helmet, boots, gloves, and hood, can cost several thousand dollars. Because this equipment is routinely exposed to intense heat, smoke, contaminants, and everyday wear, it must be regularly replaced to maintain the highest level of protection.
According to the district, grants such as the Wildhorse Foundation grant help maximize the value of every public dollar by supplementing limited funding with outside investment.
