By Tammy Moore Teague
On Sunday evening, the volunteer crew of Mansfield’s Rural Volunteer Fire Department suited up for the first time in crisp, clean new gear. That gear was a recent purchase, paid for by a matching grant obtained by the city.
In total, the department received nearly $20k worth of new turnout gear. “Each fireman has $2,442 worth of new turnout gear,” stated Fire Chief Stephen Haysmer. Gear packages will include a “Darley Armor AP Gear Coat and Pant, Interceptor Hood, Ripstop 3XL Turnout Gear Bag, Pro-Tech 8 Fusion Gloves, Fire-Dex Footwear and EV1 Traditional Helmet.”
The grant providing the new turnout gear will help keep the department modernized and up-to-date with quality protective suits.