NEW ALL-TERRAIN RESCUE VEHICLE FOR SYKESVILLE
March 23, 2007

The Sykesville-Freedom District Fire Department has taken delivery of a specially-designed all terrain vehicle for wildland and remote access rescue capabilities.

The 2007 Polaris Ranger 6x6 was built by RKO Enterprises of Madison, Indiana. The rescue package features a skid loaded system with adjustable attendant seat, stokes basket with underside storage, oxygen bottle holder and IV clips.

The unit also features custom paint and graphics, LED emergency lights and Whelen siren, a multi mount winch system, chain saw holder and run-flat tires.

The ATV fills a void for the Sykesville-Freedom District Fire Department, which has had to rely on other jurisdictions for similar vehicles in recent incidents, including last December's CSX train derailment near Marriottsville; and the rescue of two stranded hikers on an icy hillside at Patapsco State Park's McKeldin Area in February. It is the only vehicle of its kind in Carroll County.

The ATV was secured through a $29,768 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance To Firefighter's Grant Program (AFGP). U.S. Senator Barbara Mikluski's office was instrumental in shepherding the fire department through the grant process.

"Helping our firefighters is not a political issue, it is a safety issue. If you are willing to put your lives on the line every day, you should never feel short-changed by your government," said Senator Mikulski in a February press release announcing the grant.

This is the second AFGP award for the Sykesville-Freedom District Fire Department. In 2004, the department was awarded $130,500 for a new breathing apparatus and thermal imaging cameras.

The Department of Homeland Security 2007 spending bill that President Bush signed into law in October 2006 includes $662 million in federal funding for our nation's firefighters through the AFGP. While this is significantly more than the President requested, it still falls short of the program's authorized funding level of $1 billion.

The unit will be placed in service after firefighters have completed a training program.

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