OVFD Grateful for Jaws of Life
Almost eight months ago the Olney Volunteer Fire Department (OVFD) accepted a grant from Perry’s Foundation to purchase a $26,000 piece of equipment called Jaws of Life®; used to rescue people from automobiles after an accident. The Travis Edwards Foundation awarded a grant to assist with the purchase, and Tower Extrusions contributed funds also.
“On behalf of OVFD, I’d like to thank Tower for helping us reach our goal. We are also grateful to the community for contributing to this cause that will help us save lives,” said Mathew Ickert (OVFD).
In addition to grants and community support, OVFD was able to use funds from annual ticket sales to complete the purchase of the Jaws of Life® equipment.
OVFD Fire Chief Clint Pulliam said, “Having this equipment will impact not only the immediate Olney community but also the surrounding communities such as Archer and Throckmorton. This life-saving tool gives us quicker and easier access.” Lewis Farmer, a trustee for the Travis Edwards Foundation said the foundation was eager to help OVFD purchase equipment that will have a positive impact on the community. The Travis Edwards Foundation is always looking for projects to fund that empowers the community. Ron Rogers and Julie Stewart are the other trustees. 501(c) 3 organizations interested in submitting grant applications should send inquiries to P.O. Box 716, Olney, TX. Perry’s Foundation Board President Justin Piegat said, “It was an honor to fund a cause that benefits the community. Hopefully, OVFD will never need to use the Jaws, but we know that life happens and we want our community to be as safe as possible.”
Pulliam said when the weather gets cooler, they plan to have training demonstrations. “I can tear a car completely apart with those two pieces of equipment [Jaws of Life®]. The older ones were three times heavier and three times the size. You also had to carry a generator with you. The newer version has a battery that makes it lighter and faster. It is also maintenance free.”
Ickert said the next major event for OVFD is the annual “12 days of Christmas” that will begin in October. They are in the process of lining up prizes. Everyone interested in helping OVFD may purchase tickets from any of the volunteer fireman. The proceeds will go to the toy fund that provides toys to children 12 and under.
The current list of volunteer fireman with OVFD includes: Fire Chief Clint Pulliam, Len Bernhardt, Kade Betts, Justin Calhoun, Mario Cortinez, Cody Dixon, Jake Englishbee, Hunter Enloe, 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, Justin Piercy, Spencer Cox and Travis Hudson.