By David Fleet
dfleet@mihomepaper.com
Atlas Twp. — The Atlas Township Fire Department was awarded a Volunteer Fire Capacity Grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.  The 50/50 grant helps smaller departments with a population of 10,000 or less.  The grants focus mainly on wildland fire gear and equipment.  This year Atlas fire purchased a new 150-foot booster hose and nozzle for their brush truck as well as 12 fire brooms and two Indian Smokechaser backpacks.
The fire brooms are used to directly attack small, low-intensity flames by sweeping embers back into the already burned area, effectively extinguishing them and preventing further spread, especially when access with a hose line is limited or not feasible.  The Smokechaser Indian packs are small, portable back packs with tanks that can be easily and quickly deployed to deliver a concentrated stream of water directly onto flames.  They hold up to five gallons of water are designed to be lightweight and easily carried by a single firefighter, allowing for quick movement across uneven terrain.
Using the grant money, the Atlas Fire Department will save almost $1,500.