Higfill Fire Department awarded lifesaving gear
HIGHFILL — On average, there are more than 500 fatal motor vehicle crashes reported annually in Arkansas, according to data provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Thanks to a $24,885 grant from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation for vehicle extrication equipment, the local heroes of the Highfill Fire Department will be better equipped to save the lives of Benton County citizens.
On Feb. 22, fire chief Cody Wynne of the Highfill Fire Department joined Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation and Firehouse Subs franchisee Bobby Stevens at Firehouse Subs at 3511 J Street in Bentonville to celebrate and proudly demonstrate the department’s newest lifesaving equipment during an in-person ceremony.
Awarded $24,885 for extrication equipment, the tools will assist first responders by dramatically reducing the time it takes them to safely and efficiently extricate victims involved in motor vehicle accidents. The equipment will also give the department the capability to respond to complex incidents involving heavy trucks, as well as cut and spread ultra-hardened steels found in newer vehicles.
Proceeds from purchases made at U.S. Firehouse Subs restaurants provided the funding for this grant award.
To date, Firehouse Sub Public Safety Foundation has granted more than $901,000 to first responder organizations across Arkansas and more than $477,000 in the greater Fort Smith area.
ABOUT FIREHOUSE SUBS
Firehouse Subs is a restaurant chain with a passion for hearty and flavorful food, heartfelt service and public safety. Founded in Jacksonville, Fla., in 1994 by two brothers and former firefighters, Firehouse Subs is a brand built on decades of fire and police service, hot and hearty subs piled high with the highest quality meats and cheeses and
However, since an ordinance would be needed, the matter was to be brought back to the council at a special meeting for approval but a decision was later made to lease a Chevy Tahoe and Silverado for the department instead.
Tim Mays of ESI addressed the council, and discussion was held in regard to three different projects being worked on by the engineering firm: 1.) Relocation of water lines for the airport; 2.) Surveying work on Douglas Cemetery Road for repairs caused by repeated flooding; and 3.) the route of the sewer line to the Northwest Arkansas Conservation Authority water treatment plant.
According to Mays, the city was approved to receive $2.7 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding for the $5.4 million project to run a sewer line to NACA for water treatment services. He said the city was very fortunate to receive the grant because many applied.
The council discussed possible changes in that project to serve customers along Arkansas Highway 264 and then running the sewer line south along Hendrix Road instead of running the line south along the Lick Branch Creek.
It was pointed out that the design approved for grant funding was the design that followed the creek south and then used a lift station to pump the sewage to NACA
Mays estimated it would cost the city an additional $400,000 to follow a route along Highway 264 and then south. He said if the sewer system served customers in that area, an additional lift station would be required, adding another $350,000 for the lift station and the forced main.
Mays suggested that, in lieu of modifying the entire route, if the city wished to provide service along Highway 264, the city put in a lift station and pump sewage to the new forced main for a cost of $400,000 rather than spending $750,000.
He said he would hate to build large-diameter forced main where busy roads are because they are under pressure.
Since the ARPA grant of $2.7 million is a 50/50 grant, the city applied for a $2.7 million loan from Arkansas Natural Resources Commission earlier in February, and that loan application would be on the ANRC agenda the second week of March.
If the city wishes to extend the sewer line along Arkansas Highway 264 to serve other customers, that could be another phase of the project and would require a separate loan application, Mays said.
The matter of pursuing an additional phase and additional funding is expected to be on the March council meeting agenda.
Scott VanHook, of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Forestry Division, addressed the council in regard to becoming a tree city and brought a sample ordinance that the city could adopt to become a tree city
Mayor Holland said he would like to strike out language authorizing the city to tell people what they can and can’t do on their own lands before the city adopts an ordinance to become a tree city in Arkansas.
To become a tree city, Highfill would need to create a tree advisory board and establish practices for the planting, care and removal of trees located on public property.
The cost to the city is $2 per capita each year but inkind labor and services can be applied to this amount.
A proposed ordinance will be prepared for consideration at the March meeting.
Cassie Elliott addressed the council regarding its trail system and ways to tie into systems in neighboring municipalities and possibly obtaining Trail of Tears designations.
Holland said planning a trail system would designate certain trails in the city that developers would build as they develop those lands in the city.
Elliott said that having a plan in place could help with grant applications when grant funding for trails becomes available.