Choctaw Fire Department receives $25K grant

Choctaw firefighters extinguish a pickup truck that recently went up in flames near downtown Choctaw. (PHOTO BY RYAN HORTON)

By Ryan Horton
Choctaw Times

Choctaw Fire Department has been awarded a grant for extrication equipment.

Choctaw City Council approved the acceptance of a Firehouse Subs Safety Foundation Grant in the amount of $24,852, July 19.

Officials say funds will be used for extrication equipment, which include a variety of cutters, spreaders and rams used to perform rescues in vehicle accidents and small spaces.

“A large amount of our equipment has gone to battery powered,” said fire chief Loren Bumgarner. “We tried to get wildland gear, and it was too expensive. But we have a lot of DeWalt equipment in our trucks now, and this will help us out.”

The fire department is thankful for the funding, and expects to put new equipment to work soon.

“We actually received the maximum amount you can receive. Once you receive this money you can’t apply for it again for two years,” Bumgarner told the City Council.

Based out of Jacksonville, Florida, Firehouse Subs has over 1,200 restaurants in 46 states, Puerto Rico and Canada.

The nearest location is on Douglas Boulevard in Midwest City.

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