By Tammy Moore Teague
Mansfield Rural Volunteer Fire Department Chief Steven Haysmer along with Mayor Mike Gipson announced that the department will be receiving a matching state grant in the amount of $9,876 to fund new turnout gear.
The city must match that amount, so in total the department will receive nearly $20k to purchase the new protective gear. “Each fireman will have $2,442 worth of new turnout gear,” stated 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.