The North Central Electric People fund board came to the aid of three fire departments at its April meeting, issuing three grants totaling nearly $10,000 to help protect the communities they serve. The Scipio-Republic Volunteer Fire Departments received $2,870 toward a new pump for its grass-fire truck. The existing pump was deemed beyond repair. “The new pump will help the department more effectively contain fires and aid in extracting water from ponds and other water sources faster,” said Fire Chief Jason Porter. The department uses the portable pump located on the grass-fire truck for field fires and brush fires. The pump and grass-fire truck are also available for mutual aid. The Bloom Township Volunteer Fire Department received $4,950 for one air pack. A new pack with a bottle weighs roughly 30 pounds less than the self-contained breathing apparatus currently used by Bloomville firefighters. The new units meet all the new safety regulations. They also have no expiration date, unlike the ones that are being replaced. The New Riegel Volunteer Fire Department was granted $2,150 to purchase a communications system to notify firefighters of emergency calls. This system will function as a second alerting method for the fire department with a long range frequency. An updated computer system, police/fire scanner, backup battery system and antennas were also purchased with the funding to enhance the department’s technology.