LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (April 27, 2017) – Volunteer fire departments around the state know what it means to do more with less so when the opportunity for free equipment knocks, they’re happy to answer.

At 10 a.m. Thursday, representatives from 19 volunteer fire departments joined Little Rock Fire Chief Gregory Summers, Vice Mayor Kathy Webb and other Little Rock Fire Department leaders to accept a donation of valuable breathing equipment from LRFD.

These self-contained breathing apparatuses allow firefighters to breath while surrounded by smoke and intense heat during fire operations. LRFD purchased new equipment in order to maintain its Class 1 rating from the Insurance Services Office (ISO). LRFD is one of only 144 departments nationwide to earn this “superior property fire protection” distinction from the organization.

Each full setup donated costs about $5,000. Money most volunteer departments don’t have.

“This equipment can mean the difference between life and death. It expedites firefighters getting in to somebody who may be trapped inside a structure,” said David Terry, assistant chief of the Runyan Acres Volunteer Fire Department. “Financially this is a big boost for us. Not many of the small departments have the money to spend $10,000 for an air pack and extra bottles. It just means a great deal to us because we can put money toward some other necessity or needs.”

The recipient volunteer fire departments are: East Pulaski, Hensley, Highway 365, Lake Maumelle,

McAlmont, Oak Grove, Quail Creek, Runyan Acres, Scott, Southbend, Sweet Home, West Pulaski, Williams Junction, North East Saline, Gravel Ridge, North Pulaski, Wrightsville, Crystal and Collegeville.