Olney’s Volunteer Fire Department is seeking funds for Jaws of Life ®
Olney Volunteer Fire Department (OVFD) received a grant to assist with the purchase of Jaws of Life® equipment needed for rescue endeavors. Almost all the volunteer firefighters were at Olney Heritage Museum Tuesday, Dec. 3, to accept the grant that was presented to the new fire chief Clint Pulliam by Perry’s Foundation president Justin Piegat and board member D.J. Meschkat.
The cost of the equipment is slightly more than $26,000. Thus far, the OVFD has raised approximately $15,000 and will work to raise the remaining $11,000 for the life-saving equipment, which comprises cutters, spreaders and rams used to pry open vehicles that may trap victims after an accident. The Jaws of Life® tool is not only useful for automobile accidents, but also for concrete and steel buildings that may collapse after tornadoes or earthquakes.
“This grant is a tremendous help toward the purchase of the Jaws of Life®, which is one of the life-saving tools we use frequently. I’ve been with the fire department since 1987, and we’ve used the Jaws approximately eight to 10 times a year,” said Clint Pulliam, the newly appointed fire chief.
When the firemen are not out saving lives, they rally together as a team to strengthen the community with the annual Toys for Tots campaign. For more than 40 years, OVFD partners with the U.S. Marine Corps on the Toys for Tots drive. The 2019 campaign has come to an end, but toys are available for pick up at various locations around Olney. Children 12 years old or younger who reside in Olney are eligible to receive a toy. However, the sign-up period may have closed before the publication of this article. Contact one of the members of the Olney Volunteer Fire Department for more information about the 2019 Toys for Tots or the annual 12 Day of Christmas Raffle, which began Dec. 9, and will continue through Dec.20.
The current list of volunteers on the OVFD raffle includes: Fire Chief Clint Pulliam, Len Bernhardt, Kade Betts, Justin Calhoun, Mario Cortinez, Cody Dixon, Jake Englishbee, Hunter Enloe, Norman Hampton, Jeff Harvey, Rocky Hickam, Donald Ickert, Mathew Ickert, Casey Keeter, Kenley Lane, Homer Molina, Jason Pack, Trampas Patton, Byron Piercy, Jerry Don Riggins, Johnny Riggins, Gunter Rodriguez, John Schneider, Teddy Scobee, Jimmy Smith, Danny Speers, Kevin Sullivan and Sam Sullivan.