CVFD receives funding for various items
By Andy Collier
The Bolivar Bullet
The Cleveland Volunteer Fire Department will be able to purchase some much needed equipment to help with their duties.
On February 18, Atmos Energy, through a grant, donated funds to allow the CVFD to obtain three 4-gas monitors and a calibration machine.
Greg Jackson, Fire Inspector for the City of Cleveland, was very thankful for the help provided to them from Atmos and described the purpose of the machines.
“We can determine whether or not there is natural gas present,” said Jackson. “This can answer some questions. Anytime somebody smells something unusual, they say it smells like gas. We can come in and say this is what it is, and we can mitigate that issue. It could be sewer, it could be something that they were cooking, it could be a variety of things. The gas company is careful about being safe. That’s the reason you don’t read a lot of stuff about gas issues. They stay on top of it.”
Todd Fuller, Manager of Safety for Atmos Energy, said the equipment will be helpful for the fire department.
“It is the same equipment that the gas company uses,” said Fuller. “It detects carbon monoxide, natural gas and different levels from a safety standpoint to let you know what’s there. When they arrive on site, they’ll be able to know what kind of environment they’re coming into whether its gas or carbon monoxide. It just helps the fire department protect the city of Cleveland.”
Kent Wilburn, Fire Chief at the CVFD, said the machines are top brand, and they will take a lot of pressure off of the firemen and make sure they can protect everyone around them.
“When you know what you’re dealing with immediately, it makes you have better decision making and it makes your response time better,” said Wilburn.
Fuller said Atmos has always been happy to work with the CVFD.
“Atmos’ vision is to be the safest provider of natural gas,” said Fuller. “It’s a perfect partnership with the fire department, because we’re both focused on protecting the people and the communities we serve.”