Osage Area Supported by CommunityCare Grant Program
posted on Thursday, April 4, 2019
Earlier last year, Iowa Select Farms awarded the Osage Police Department $3,307 and the Osage Fire Department $1,600 as part of its CommunityCare grant program. With the funds, the police department updated patrol vehicle safety cages and camera systems and the fire department purchased Nomex fire hoods.
“Safety of the officers is always our top priority,” said Police Chief Brian Wright. “We transport four to five people a week in our vehicles and have had people kick out windows and dashes before. Cages and cameras keep both the passenger and officer safe.”
Keeping all 30 Osage volunteer firefighters safe is also a top priority for Fire Chief Kurt Angell.
“It’s no secret that firefighters are far more likely to develop cancer,” he said. “New studies have shown that homes today are built with different materials that, when burned, are hazardous to the health of first responders. These hoods give us one less thing to worry about.”
Nomex hoods are created from fire-resistant material that creates a barrier on the shoulder, neck, face and head. The fire department had not updated their hoods since 2004.
“We wouldn’t have been able to afford these new Nomex hoods without the CommunityCare grant,” said Angell.
The Osage fire department covers 154 square miles in both Mitchell and Floyd counties. Thus far in 2019 they have responded to nearly 12 fires.
The CommunityCare grant program was established in 2016 by Iowa Select Farms and has provided more than $150,000 to local schools, recreation and environmental stewardship initiatives, fire departments and community betterment projects.
Funds for the 2019 CommunityCare grant program are still available. Please contact the Mitchell County Economic Development office at 641-732-4790 or by email at [email protected] for the grant criteria and an electronic copy of the application. Applications for the next round of grants are due on May 31, 2019.
“Giving back to the communities where we live and work is important to us as farmers, which is why we started the CommunityCare grant program,” said Jeff Hansen, CEO of Iowa Select Farms. “We’re excited to continue supporting local efforts and organizations that strengthen our community.”
Applications will be evaluated based on benefit to local residents, identification of needs, ability to leverage funding and completeness of application.
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