Chalybeate Fire Department In Need, Seeks Community Help

9/10/2016

Chalybeate Fire Chief Daniel Johnson holds up a set of pants, shredded and out-dated.

Darren Doyle, story and photos
Chalybeate Fire Chief Daniel Johnson is reaching out to his community to seek help with a dire need that his department faces.

Johnson says that the CVFD is in desperate need of new turnout gear, which is the typical firefighter uniform equipment, consisting of a helmet, hood, coat, pants, and boots.

Johnson said that the updated equipment is required not only in order for fire departments to stay in compliance with state and federal regulations, but also as a matter of personal safety.

"Right now, the gear we have is three years out of date," he said. "What we have expired about three years ago and it's not safe."

Local fire departments operate on budgets funded by taxes and any available grants. Johnson said Chalybeate operates on a $40,000 yearly budget which is mainly funded through county taxes. He said at normal operation, which includes the firehouse, property, and truck maintenance, that amount is just enough to cover the basics. It doesn't, however, include equipment upgrades. He said one set of the turnout gear which outfits one firefighter costs over $1800.

"We've got people in our community that want to join our fire department but we can't accept them because we don't have enough equipment. This is not a matter of wanting new turnout gear for looks. What we have is no longer safe for our department."

Johnson said the recent fundraiser with the Dukes of Hazzard cars helped bring in $4000 for the department. He said three sets of the gear is being purchased with those funds. He also said the fire department will be at the fair each night and is selling raffle tickets for a country ham. Tickets are $1 each or 6 tickets for $5.

He also noted that he wasn't a fan of simply asking Edmonson County citizens for donations, but at this point, really had no other option. With 17 sets of new gear needed, he's going to have to sell lots of tickets for the country ham.

"Our departments are all made up of volunteers, you know, none of us get paid. That's ok, that's not why we do this," he said. "But we're also out here risking our lives to protect people and property. If a firefighter were to get hurt out here wearing this outdated gear, we probably couldn't get worker's comp to pay their medical bills. It's a matter of safety and doing things right."

If you or your business would like to donate to the Chalybeate Fire Department gear drive, you can send a check payable to Chalybeate Fire Department to:
Chief Daniel Johnson
2200 Mohawk Road
Brownsville KY 42210

4 Comments

Tim Skees

9/10/2016 04:59:03 pm

There comes a time when one MUST weigh the consequences of "volunteering" versus the gain.
When your personal safety is at too great of a risk, due to outdated equipment, one must stop and think of what would happen if they were burned or hurt or even killed and could no longer provide for their families, ect.
Volunteering is great for those who receive the services of those volunteers.
It is not so great for those who's lives are at risk due to the faulty or substandard equipment.
If someone is wearing outdated turn out gear, which does not meet standards, then insurance companies will NOT pay or cover firefighters injuries claims or medical bills in an accident. This is a HUGE liability issue for the county and the depts.

So, is it worth continuing to risk your lives knowing your gear is not going to protect you in a house fire or flashover situation?
Being a hero is a great thing, until a hero dies.

A great man once said, " No one makes you do what you do, you do it because you want to do it."
That makes sense, given the risk taken by our firefighters without proper gear to keep them from being burned or killed.
It may be more prudent to simply quit volunteering, until suitable gear is purchased.
We have some of the greatest firefighters here in Edmonson County, that I have ever worked with in my life.
Before I would see any of them hurt, for lack of proper equipment, I would not respond as an interior attack team.
It's easy for politicians to say " We really appreciate our firefighters."
It is another to overlook the costs of operation of a simple fire dept.

Let the county politicians work out a solution to the problem.

This county surely can afford to pitch in for a couple sets of turn out gear a year for each dept. It has no problem shelling out $1500 plus for a week long trips to Louisville for some of its politicians.
Of course their comfort is quite more important than someone crawling around in fire, looking for a missing child.
The county does NOT pay any public elected official bonds for constables, we pay this ourselves, so there is almost a set of gear for a firefighter right there.

It is my personal view, that a fireman means more that a week vacation at the Galt House.
( A simple $60 per nite hotel could suffice.) $1500 for a 5 day stay x 6 magistrates? That's a couple sets of gear right there alone!

Firefighters lives matter.
Politicians comforts and well being matter more I guess.

Jason wood

9/14/2016 09:03:43 am

First of all yes I can see where are volunteering fire fighters need the community's help! But you need to know what your talking about when in comes to the magistrates! First of all it is never a week and it is so not a vacation there are mandatory meetings everyday into the night and it is required by the state for all counties to attend so many a year! And it is the state that says where it is held not the county so if you have a problem with the Galt house call the governor! But everyone knows you have a problem with the magistrates cause they won't let you run blue lights get over it really! And I'm not sure but I be leave you have been told time and time again by the county officials not to have blue lights on your car and if I'm not mistaken I have a picture of your car with blue lights on it! Your say you uphold the rules but you constantly break them!

9/14/2016 10:29:37 pm

Well, magistrates are allowed mistakes.
And as for you and your picture......talk to the county atty and swear out a LIE like magistrate rich did. It may work, or it may not.
As for being "mad". No. Disappointed in old men's STUPIDITY, yes.

Funny thing is..... I AM still the law...aren't I.
Magistrates were stripped of ALL law enforcement powers in the constitutional reforms, which stripped away all their " justice of the peace powers" and title as justice of the peace.

Now they vote on county matters of business and general operations. They are not the law anymore and I guess they may be a little sore about that. We have three magistrates which are great guys. I have talked with them personally about our issues. We have three which want to hold on to the 1970 way of doing business.
Ever wonder why we have an abundance of land, but no industrial mite? Just business. The OLD way of doing things. Any county outside of here ( and yes, I'm PROUD to call Edmonson county my home) all remark about how far back in the stone ages we are. People are trying to change that. People want more for their kids, their friends and neighbors. Unfortunately, until we get rid of these backwards thinking old folks and their prehistoric ways...... we will have lawmen with no blue lights..... and a county ran by dinosaurs.
And if you have issue with my lights..... come and arrest me.

Richard Jurisich

9/19/2016 06:10:13 pm

Please note that Mr.Skees' views are of his own opinion and in now way reflect the thoughts and views of the fire department.

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Chalybeate Fire Department In Need, Seeks Community Help

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