The Clearwater Lions are known for their generosity when it comes to helping the community.
But their latest donation will go a long way towards helping the community be a lot safer in the future.
Tuesday, the Lions donated $25,000 to the Clearwater Fire Dept. to help purchase some new life-saving equipment.
Clearwater Fire Chief Ryan Pridgeon said the department is in the process of purchasing a new truck to replace Engine 12, which is 23 years old.
“We can take some of the tools off the old truck, but we’re changing the parameters of how we’re using this engine. Anything on I-94, it will be the first truck there. Anyone with a car fire, it will be the first engine at your house,” he said.
Pridgeon said along with the new truck, the department needs to upgrade its extrication equipment. Currently, the “jaws of life” and cutter are run off a hydraulic generator.
“It’s a two or three-person job,” he said. “These new tools are battery powered and lighter. These tools can be used by one person. It frees up manpower to do other activities on the scene and it’s just as powerful as our most powerful hydraulic tool.”
The tools are used to extricate people from car wrecks. Sometimes they’re used to open a door to get in at a fire. The battery-powered units are an evolutionary step up, he said.
Pridgeon said in the long run it’s going to “save our backs” and speed up extricating a person from a car.
The new engine will cost $750,000. That’s in the budget. The two tools - the cutter and jaws of life, come with a price tag of $48,000.
“We haven’t really budgeted any money for that,” said Pridgeon. “I came to you guys and asked for $25,000, which would put us over half way for those two tools, and you guys said “yes.” We really appreciate your generous donation.”
Clearwater Lions President Ken Abraham said the money comes from gambling proceeds from Clearwater Corners and Flinstones, two businesses that play a big part in the Lions ability to help the community.
Pridgeon said they’re hoping to have the new engine by the end of the year.
