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Imperial firefighters accept a $5,000 check which represents the funds contributed to the pictured rope rescue equipment. Funding the project were the Imperial Rotary Club and the Imperial Community Foundation Fund. Firemen pictured at the right are Kelsey Weiss, Aaron Greene, Fay Hiykel and Chief Doug Mitchell. Young Rotary guest, Gianna Reeves, holds the left corner of the check. Pictured front row from left, are Matilda Malcolm, Rotary student guest from Palisade; Rotarians Angie Swanson, Melisa Owens, Jane Moreland and Ashley Exum. Rotarians, back row from left, are Eric Haider, Lori Pankonin, Don Newman, Clay Owens and Brad Foote. Moreland and Pankonin also represent the community foundation. (Johnson Publications photo)

Group effort results in new rope rescue equipment for fire dept.

Combined efforts of the Imperial Rotary Club, Imperial Community Foundation Fund and the Imperial Volunteer Fire Department have resulted in new quality rope rescue equipment for the fire department.

It started more than a year ago when Rotary members wanted to work towards a local project. They became aware of the firemen’s desire for equipment they didn’t have which could be very useful for rescue. Rotarians set a goal of raising $5,000.

Fundraisers were held and the project qualified for a Rotary district $1,000 grant which was utilized along with a $3,300 grant from the Imperial Community Foundation Fund. 

Fireman Aaron Greene researched the equipment which became a reality when it arrived in December. In additional collaboration, the IVFD is part of two mutual aid districts so surrounding communities can also be assisted in rope rescue emergencies. The equipment was recently utilized in a grain bin rescue class in Holyoke, Colorado.

The TerrAdaptor offers numerous advantages in rescue situations. Rescue might involve raising or lowering a person from a building, a grain bin, a manhole or in industrial and wilderness environments.

Its versatile configuration allows monopod, bipod, tripod or quadripod setups, depending if there are close quarters or plenty of room as well as how sturdy the ground is. 

Greene said the fire department really appreciates the donated funds to make the needed equipment possible.

 

The Imperial Republican

308-882-4453 (Phone)

622 Broadway St

PO Box 727

Imperial, NE 69033