NEBCO receives grant from rural services
LITTLE ROCK — Governor Asa Hutchinson, AEDC executive director Mike Preston, AEDC executive vice president of operations Amy Fecher and Rural Services director Alex Johnston presented $353,727.64 to rural communities on Thursday, May 24. The communities were selected for Fiscal Year 2018 Cycle II funding through the Arkansas Rural Community Grant Program.
In attendance were representatives receiving an Arkansas Rural Community Development grant on behalf of NEBCO Fire-EMS in Benton County. NEBCO Fire-EMS received $8,005.23 to purchase a front loading washer/extractor and turnout gear drying cabinet.
The Arkansas Economic Development Commission Division of Rural Services works in partnership with the Arkansas Rural Development Commission to select the Arkansas Rural Community Grant Programs recipients. Incorporated cities and towns and unincorporated communities in rural areas of less than 3,000 in population are eligible to apply for assistance through the mayor or county judge’s office.
According to NEBCO officials, the grant is being used to put a turnout gear washer and dryer in the station. In 2017, the Arkansas legislature passed Act 962 stating that fire departments shall have access to extraction washers capable of 100-g force of spin for gear. This must be complied with by Jan. 1, 2022.
It is important that fire gear be cleaned to remove harmful substances that firefighters come in contact with during fire events to reduce the risk of cancer, NEBCO officials said.