Mid-South RC&D Council Supports Fire Departments, Kamp Kiwanis in Elmore County

From Katie Smith

Mid-South RC&D

ELMORE COUNTY, Ala. — Thanks to the Mid-South RC&D Grant Program and the strong support of the Alabama legislature, more than $58,000 was awarded across Elmore County to improve operational equipment for five fire departments and Kamp Kiwanis, a popular summer camp location for Girl Scouts. Senator Will Barfoot and Representative Troy Stubbs took a countywide tour to each project location, where they congratulated these local organizations on their good work and saw the positive impact brought to their legislative districts.

Empowered by the Alabama Legislature, it’s clear the Mid-South RC&D Grant Program helps local organizations obtain needed resources to better serve and protect the public.

“This is not the state’s money. It’s the taxpayer’s money,” said Will Barfoot, Alabama State Senator.

“We just get the ability to take that taxpayer money and put it in the hands of folks like RC&D that know what they’re doing to separate fact from fiction, figure out what programs are worth funding, and make sure the money gets back to the local level, where it’s put to good use.”

The fire departments that benefited from these funds included Holtville/Slapout Volunteer Fire Department, Kowaliga Volunteer Fire Department, Red Hill Volunteer Fire Department, Santuck Volunteer Fire Department, and Wetumpka Fire Department. While each department received equipment that strengthened their emergency response capabilities, no fire department had the same needs.

Troy Stubbs, Alabama State Representative, acknowledged how important it is to distinguish what these needs are. This is because each fire department has a different service area and demographic within Elmore County. What meets the needs of Holtville/Slapout Volunteer Fire Department’s service area may not precisely fit the current needs of Kowaliga Volunteer Fire Department’s communities.

For example, Holtville/Slapout Volunteer Fire Department upgraded its emergency communications system with new radios and pagers, which will work with the new 700 system soon to be implemented countywide; Red Hill Volunteer Fire Department obtained extrication equipment; then, Santuck Volunteer Fire Department obtained five new sets of personal protective equipment.

Kowaliga Volunteer Fire Department obtained two thermal cameras to better access fire scenes. While this equipment helps the entire community, this need was identified with a special interest in protecting the many lives at Children’s Harbor, a 66-acre campus with 34 different structures that provides an opportunity for ill and disabled children to experience camp life.

“Five thousand children and their families go through that camp every year,” said Mark Denney, Kowaliga Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief. “You put these individuals into a camp situation, and it can get pretty dicey quick if you have some kind of fire event. That’s why we knew we had to do something different. Typical fire and search and rescue techniques can take a while if you don’t have a thermal camera, and the idea that you could have 45 to 60 children in a single location that are all scrambling, trying to get out of a smoke-filled building is frightening. We hope to never have to use these at Children’s Harbor, but we are prepared.”

The Wetumpka Fire Department used its Mid-South RC&D grant to acquire a community risk reduction inflatable. This inflatable takes the form of a fire/police safety house, educating children with safety messages as they move through the inflatable.

“We intend for it to be used at various events across the city and county to educate the public about safety. Safety messages are strategically placed throughout the inflatable house to provide an interactive experience for those who visit,” said Greg Willis, Wetumpka Fire Chief.

Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama repaired Kamp Kiwanis’s zipline with new line, anchors, braking systems, and additional equipment to ensure it’s in working order. The zip line serves as a significant STEM component, allowing girls to learn about the mechanics of its operation.

“The zip line at Kamp Kiwanis is a crucial element of our camp activities, and it disappointed many of our volunteers and girls when it was closed,” said Alica Gowan, Chief Development Officer. “Since we’ve announced that the zip line is back, there has been nothing but excitement! We have already been able to debut it at a camporee and two Council events.”

The tour concluded at the Santuck Community Center, where the Santuck Volunteer Fire Department gathered with Senator Barfoot, Representative Stubbs, and the Mid-South RC&D Elmore County Committee members and Staff for a night of fellowship and community. Like the community organizations before them, they expressed the importance of their work and told the day’s final story about how their grant impacts Elmore County.