The Southlake Fire Department has received a $4,500 grant from Helping Heroes, a program sponsored by Koch Pipeline Company and Flint Hills Resources. According to deputy chief Wade Carroll, the department was notified of the grant through a letter from Koch Pipeline. Emergency managementbrcoordinator then Ben Williamson applied for the grant in August 2014. The grant was approved in October.
“Flint Hills Resources & Koch Pipeline Company arebrproud supporters of our local fire departments and emergency responders," the Flint Hills Resources & Kock Pipeline Company website says. "Webrappreciate their dedication and bravery to help keep our communities safe.brTheir service is vital to the protection of both life and property.”
“In 2012, Flint Hills Resources and Koch Pipeline Companybrbegan the Helping Heroesprogram," according to the Flint Hills Resources website. "This program provides support for the training, education, equipment,brand emergency notification needs of our local fire departments and emergencybrresponders. Since starting the program three years ago, more than $340,000 hasbrbeen provided to departments in Texas.”
On Dec. 19, the fire department was invited to a brief presentation and overview of one ofbrthe company's facilities in Euless and was presented with the check.
"We are always extremely happy about qualifying and being selected forbrgrants of any kind," Carroll said. "Grants allow thebrfire department to meet process improvement goals with less impact on the citybrof Southlake's general fund. Grantbrwriting is always a challenge but our [Williamson] is wellbradapted to discovering and writing to the spirit of the grant."
In addition to Williamson's input, battalion chief Trey Porter provided thebrtechnical details for the grant's application, which helped in the approval of the application.
"I can't say enough about our team here at Southlake," Carroll continued. "They understand why we do what we do, thebrimportance of completing our mission while being fiscally responsible to ourbrcitizens, and have the professionalism to get the job done right."
The grant was utilized to purchase four flammable gas detectors, which will supplement the department's current four gas atmospheric monitorsbrby providing them a means of locating the “leak source.” The current gas monitors are used to gatherbratmospheric readings only. Atmosphericbrreadings are utilized to ensure the air quality conditions are safe andbrtenable. The Southlake fire department'sbrmulti gas detectors read the oxygen levels, lower and upper explosive limits ofbrflammable gases, carbon monoxide, and Hydrogen Sulfide. The new leak detectors will allow thebrdepartment to more quickly locate and isolate a leak so that residents orbrbusiness patrons may return quickly and safely.
The department is currently investigating ways to improve its public education programs. It offers fire extinguisher, CPR, Auotmated External Defibrillator, Community Emergency Response Team, general fire/cooking safety, and Citizen's Academy classes for adults. There are also station tours, and school visits available for children.
"The Southlake fire department and the city of Southlake prides itself onbrbeing a high performance organization that embraces continual processbrimprovements," Carroll said. "Citizens can aid their fire department inbroffering more opportunities to us to interact with you. Please contact Renni Burt, the Southlake firebrdepartment's public education coordinator with questions or to set up classesbrand tours."
Carroll also invited residents to participate in the SouthlakebrCitizens' Survey coming out this fall. The survey will be posted on line on the citybrof Southlake website.
"This is abrcomprehensive survey that allows all city departments to gage the satisfactionbrof our customers and give our citizens an opportunity to make their voicesbrheard," Carroll said. The core of our strategic plansbrare developed around the needs of our citizens."
OnbrSaturday, March 7, residents can bring items to the Mobile Crud Cruiserbrat 1085 S. Kimball Ave. (Dragon Stadium) from 9 to 11 a.m. or untilbrfull. The entry to the event is on the south side of the stadium. Items accepted include: Automotive fluids, batteries, cleaners and chemicals,brcooking oil, lawn/garden/pool chemicals, light bulbs, paint and paintingbrsupplies. If you have water based or latex paint you can completely dry out thebrpaint and place it in your regular household trash.