OFD awarded fire prevention grant

Oct. 30--OTTUMWA -- The Ottumwa Fire Department has added a new tool to its arsenal.

The department was awarded a fire prevention grant on Wednesday, which amounted to $1,670. The money will be used to buy an ignitable liquids detection kit, which helps investigators tell if arson may have been involved in a fire.

"This new tool is kind of in place of a canine," said Deputy Chief Cory Benge. "It helps us confirm if there was gasoline or diesel, or some sort of fuel that helps ignite a fire."

This is the third time in a row the department has received the grant. In the past, it was used to purchase a new Sparky the dog costume and tablets for the fire marshals.

The grant was awarded by FM Global, a mutual insurance company. It can be applied for every three years and is available to all fire departments. It's awarded to departments that best demonstrate their need for funds and which possess a strong record of fire prevention.

Jack Langland can be reached at [email protected].

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