Grant nets new equipment for Earle FD

Grant nets new equipment for Earle FD

Longtime Fire Chief, Irby Campbell, set to retire

news@theeveningtimes.com

Earle Fire Department will receive some new communications equipment thanks to a grant from the operators of the Diamond Pipeline.

The department was awarded $9,769 from the Diamond Pipeline First Responder Grant Program.

The Diamond Pipeline First Responder Grant Program provides funding to support training and response equipment needs along the pipeline route in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Tennessee. The grant program helps first responders better serve their local communities by providing additional resources that enhance their safety and training.

The Diamond Pipeline is a 440 pipeline capable of transporting up to 200,000 barrels per day of domestic crude oil from Cushing, Okla. to Memphis.

John Suford of Earle Fire Department told the city council that the department plans to use the money to upgrade its outdated radio system to better communicate with the county dispatcher.

“One of the complaints from the county is they call us on the fire phone but from that point on they don’t know if we are responding, or on the scene, or if we are clear, or what is going on, of if they need to send help,” Suford said.

Suford said they received two quotes for a new system — one in Jonesboro for $23,000 and one in Memphis for $17,500 for the same system.

Suford asked and was granted permission from the city council to accept the grant and to use $7,810 from the city’s ACT 833 money to make up the difference to pay for the system.

ACT 833 provides funding to small, rural fire departments throughout the state.

On a related matter, longtime Fire Chief Irby Campbell will be retiring after 62 years of service to Earle Fire Department.

A retirement party will be held Aug. 19 at 6 p.m. at the Baptist church in Earle.

By Mark Randall