The Valley Regional Fire Authority recently received a $16,000 grant to install “green” technology on two new fire engines that will cut diesel emissions and save fuel.

The Washington State Department of Ecology bestowed the grant to the VRFA from its clean diesel grant program, which awards organizations wanting to reduce emissions from heavy-duty diesel vehicles and equipment.

“Our new fire engines represent long-term investments designed to serve and protect the community for the next 15 years,” said Battalion Chief Parry Boogard. “It is the responsibility of the VRFA to make sure we’ve done everything within our power to be both environmentally and fiscally responsible to the citizens we serve.”

The Rosenbauer “Greenstar” idle reduction technology system relies on a small diesel engine that powers an 8,000-watt generator installed on top of the fire engine. This system automatically turns on after a pre-determined amount of time when the fire engine is idling and the emergency brake is set. It shuts down the main diesel engine and provides power to critical systems including headlights, running lights, emergency lights, computers, radios and scene lights.

The system not only cuts down on fuel use, exhaust and noise, but also decreases wear and tear on the larger diesel engine. The cost to replace a diesel particulate filter in a fire engine is approximately $5,000.

Idle Reduction Technology reduces the number of hours that the larger diesel engines spend idling at emergency scenes, thus maximizing the overall life of diesel particulate filters and saving money in replacement costs.

“We are pleased that the grant from the Department of Ecology will allow us to add the Greenstar Idle Reduction Technology to our new fire engines,” said Assistant Fire Chief Mike Gerber. “The VRFA Board of Governance encourages us to search out opportunities for using environmentally sound technologies in our day-to-day operations and this feature is consistent with their vision.”

The new technology will be installed on two fire engines the VRFA recently ordered built by General Fire of Spokane. The pumpers will be completed in the spring of 2012 and replace fire engines purchased in 1984 and 1990.

Also

The Auburn Area Fire Medic Campaign recently awarded the VRFA $12,494 in grant funds.

The VRFA will use the grant to purchase smoke alarms, bike helmets, fall prevention devices and CPR and first aid supplies. The remainder will be used to fund the supplies and staffing needed to provide blood pressure and blood sugar screenings at community events.

The funding for supplies and staffing to provide community blood pressure and blood sugar screenings was approved by the committee and will identify and educate persons who may be experiencing one or both of to two critical public health problems that they may not be aware of; hypertension and diabetes. The screenings will take place at Algona Days and Auburn Good Ol’ Days.

Funds also were approved to support the VRFA’s Smoke Alarm Program. The number of residential fire related deaths can be decreased significantly if homes have properly installed and working smoke alarms. The VRFA is committed to working with the community to minimize the loss of life and property. Last year, 50 smoke alarms were distributed to senior citizens and low or fixed income families in the Cities of Algona, Auburn and Pacific.

The committee also awarded funds to purchase bike helmets for distribution in the community. The VRFA, and formerly the Auburn Fire Department in conjunction with the Valley Professional Firefighters Union Local 1352, has provided free helmets for children in the community since 2005 in an effort to prevent head injuries caused by bicycle crashes. A properly fitted helmet reduces the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent and the risk of brain injury by as much as 88 percent.

Each year the VRFA responds to an average of 200 falls involving senior citizens over the age of 65. Many of these falls lead to serious injuries and hospitalization. The VRFA works with King County Emergency Medical Services (KCEMS) to identify seniors in our community that need fall prevention assistance. KCEMS pays for the purchase and installation of a few of the items for the individual, such as grab bars or toilet risers, but is sometimes unable to provide other items needed to make that individual’s environment safe. With the generous grant award from the Fire Medic Campaign additional items the VRFA can purchase and install these items for seniors in our community.

Lastly, the VRFA has trained thousands of citizens in CPR and first aid through the monthly classes offered. The manikins and other training materials used in these classes are worn out. The awarded funds will purchase new adult and baby CPR manikins, a public access de-fibrillator trainer, epi-pen trainers, and updated video training materials to conform with the newly released American Heart Association First Aid and CPR guidelines.

“The VRFA is appreciative of the continued support of the Auburn Area Fire Medic Campaign and this year’s generous award,” said Assistant Fire Chief Mike Gerber. “This grant assists the VRFA in achieving its goal of providing exceptional fire and emergency medical services to the citizens of our communities.”

For information on the campaign and the VRFA, visit www.vrfa.org or call the VRFA at 253-288-5800.