John Coffelt, Editor

Summitville Volunteer Fire Department recently purchased a collection of much needed equipment through a county incentive plan for installing free smoke detectors.

SVFD Assistant Chief Michael Hopkins said these purchases will help keep firefighters safer.

The funding allowed the department to purchase a cascade air tank filler, battery powered fans to clear smoke-filled homes and some additional backup air tanks.

The air filler that the station was using dated back to 1978.

Filling the air tanks that allow firefighters to breathe clean, safe air is much more complicated than inflating a tire with a garage compressor.

The self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) SCBA uses cylinders of compressed air. Like scuba tanks, the bottles are charged to 2,200-5,000 psi., roughly 10 times the pressure of a car tire.

And that air must be clean. That must be ultra-filtered and be free of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and noticeable odor.

The system new system that costs about $40,000 fills tanks in much less time and includes a blast chamber in the event of a cylinder rupture.

“This (program) is a great asset to be able to get the equipment we need to update. As we update our equipment, it helps the ISO. We can purchase equipment, meet their standards and get a higher ISO rating,” Hopkins said. Better ISO ratings directly affect the cost of property insurance by residents in the department’s coverage area.

Hopkins said too that Summitville is always looking for volunteers. If you live in the district, SVFD meets at the School House Road station each second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.

Charmain of the county committee that oversees the rural fire department, Commissioner Jimmy Holandsworth said that “Summitville (fire department) has been great to work with. Anything you ask, they are always there at the meetings.”

Hollandsworth called the funding a small token of how the commission wants to help out rural fire and improve county statins’ ISO ratings.

Hollandsworth said that SVFD, along with North Coffee Volunteer Fire Department, is always the first department to install its quota of smoke detectors.        

Budget and Finance Committee member, Commissioner Joey Hobbs added that he appreciates the efforts all the volunteers do to keep residents and their property safe.

“It takes a lot to do what you do, for only recognition. Thank you guys for that,” Hobbs said.        

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.