Feb 8, 2007- Marcy Kaptur Announces Federal Award for Oberlin Fire Department

According to Oberlin Fire Chief Dennis Kirin, the federal award will be usedto purchase a mobile “live fire simulator” for use in training firefighters inOberlin and throughout the area. It is estimated that the federal award willcover 95 percent of the cost of the simulator, with five percent coming fromlocal sources.

“Congratulations to the department and to the community for this great successin a highly competitive process,” said Congresswoman Kaptur. “In typical style,Oberlin is showing great leadership in training first responders.”

Chief Kirin said the Oberlin Fire Department will now be able to prepare thepaperwork and seek bids on the high-tech equipment that will allow firefightersto train in realistic fire situations. He said the simulator, which resembles a50-foot-long truck trailer, can create a fire scene, using actual fire andsmoke in a safe and environmentally sound environment.

“It's actually a computerized version of a building on fire,” Chief Kirinsaid. “We can set by computer, not simulations, but actual live fires withsmoke. It is a 100 percent safe environment in which to train in an economicaland environmentally sound manner.

“I am very motivated when it comes to training for our firefightersâ€"and alsothe larger needs of the area.”

Chief Kirin said the federal award was predicated on making the simulatoravailable not only to the five full-time and 25 part-time firefighters at theOberlin department, which serves the city of Oberlinand New RussiaTownship, but also the other 652firefighters in LorainCounty.

“We are ecstatic,” said Chief Kirin. “This is significant: I can't think ofanything like this anywhere in Northeast Ohio.”

“I applaud Chief Kirin and the city of Oberlinfor looking at the big picture,” said Congresswoman Kaptur. “All of Lorain Countyâ€"andall of Northeast Ohioâ€"is a big winner todaydue to their foresight.”

Congresswoman Kaptur is a senior member of the U.S. House AppropriationsCommittee, which funds the Homeland Security agency and the U.S. FireAdministration. She has worked extensively with fire departments throughout theNinth Congressional District to encourage their participation in the fire grantinitiative.

Congresswoman Kaptur noted that she had announced a $72,257 award to theOberlin Fire Department in October 2005 for a firefighter health and wellnessprogram and the purchase of equipment.

“Everyone is proud of the Oberlin Fire Department for its progressiveapproach and its willingness to share its equipment and expertise in the causeof protecting lives and property,” she said.