The city of Gillett Fire Department has received $30,000 worth of protective gear for firefighters.
Twenty new sets of trousers and jackets, also known as turnout gear, arrived at the end of November. Each set costs about $1,600.
A $19,000 gift from the Ann Horick estate was put toward the purchase, along with Fire Department funds. The civic-minded Horick, who passed away in June 2012, left her estate to various recipients in the Gillett community, including the school district, fire and police departments, and the ambulance service.
Fire Chief Tom Wolfgram said the department’s turnout gear was 10 years old and in need of replacement. Most of the old gear will be discarded, but some will remain in use.
The suits are made by the Honeywell Corporation under the name Morning Pride. At the bottom of each jacket is a removable panel displaying the name of the firefighter. This new feature will help firefighters identify each other more easily than the old system that listed only the firefighter’s number and the fire department’s abbreviation.
The department recently gained five new members, bringing its roster to 21 firefighters. Wolfgram said this is four short of a full roster but is comparable to the size of the department in recent years.
An entry-level firefighting training session is scheduled this spring at the Fire Department and is expected to attract about 20 people.
Wolfgram said the Gillett department also plans to construct a training tower, beginning as early as summer 2014.
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