By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
The St. Joseph Fire Department has applied for and been awarded grant money to help in training its firefighters better to protect the city of St. Joseph.
A $130,000 grant will allow St. Joseph firefighters to train with the 139th Airlift Wing at Rosecrans Memorial Airport to gain better knowledge and training.
City Manager Mike Schumacher says it’s critical that St. Joseph’s fire fighters are well trained
“And that’s why Ivan the Fire Chief has been so focused on it, that we want our folks safe and if they’re not training and they’re not keeping certain certifications up, then you’ve got to worry we’re sending them out into harm’s way without being really equipped with knowledge and training,” Schumacher says on the KFEQmunnity show. “And the 139th feels the same way, and that’s what makes that collaboration so fantastic.”
Schumacher says the 139th helps supply abilities in firefighting that will be helpful to St. Joseph firefighters
“They are very important to this community, but perhaps on an even more important note they’re in partnership with this community, so they’re not out there on an island so to speak,” Schumacher explains. “They’re very much plugged into this community as a whole and really just a great partner and partnership, that’s one of the really fantastic things about St. Joseph, is the collaboration between all these different organizations.”
Schumacher says the city plans on applying two additional years to the grant to help make sure St. Joseph’s firefighters are current on their certifications and well trained.
Schumacher also points out collaborations between the city and entities like the 139th is important to continue helping the city become a better place to live.
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.
