Commission approves equipment and supply grants for newly forming fire districts

The Daviess County Redevelopment Commission approved two grants to support newly forming local fire districts, voting to provide $8,500 for an extraction-tool component requested by the Northwest Fire District and $10,000 for medical supplies and vehicle repairs for Odin.

The chair told the commission these requests stem from prior March discussions about supporting departments that join fire districts. The chair relayed a quote and a written estimate from Rob Dove, identified in the meeting as a fire chief, for roughly $8,500 for the outstanding extraction-tool piece, and a separate request for about $10,000 for medical supplies and truck repairs relayed as coming from Major Griffin and Odin department contacts.

Commissioners debated whether funding should be contingent on a department formally joining a district. Some members said funding should be limited to departments that become part of a district; others proposed alternatives such as splitting the contribution (half now, half contingent on joining) or encouraging community fundraising to cover smaller requests.

Darren Holder, a Van Beern resident, urged support for area departments and noted that supply shortages first raised in March may persist. After discussion, the commission accepted a motion to approve the two grants; the motion was seconded by Mike Haley and passed by voice vote with no opposition announced.

The chair said he will follow up with Rob Dove about who needs to be contacted to place the order and identified Scott Myers as the staff coordinator for the purchases. Commissioners asked staff to track whether recipient departments formalize district membership going forward.