The Winfield Lions Club has received a grant of around $12,500 from the Lions Club International Foundation for emergency preparedness equipment, which will be used to enhance local wildfire response efforts.
The Winflield Lions Club not only applied for the grant, but they too contributed additional funds, bringing the total investment to $14,679.
Doug Goltz, president of the Winfield Lions Club, was also a member of the Winfield Fire Department before retiring, and said the Jasper fires last year really woke people up to being more prepared for the wildfire season.
"This is something that's been talked about here for a few years now. This was a chance for the Lions Club to step up and help out," he said.
The funds have been used to purchase wildland firefighting equipment like pumps, hoses, nozzles, a fuel tank, rooftop and ground sprinklers and more in being used to protect local infrastructure in the event of a wildfire.
"If you have a fire coming towards some structures it's something we can do in advance," he said about the equipment.
The new equipment will be housed at the Winfield Fire Department and will be accessible to other Lions Clubs and emergency responders during emergencies.
In a recent press release, the Winfield Lions Club wanted to express its gratitude to the Lions Club International Foundation, along with Lions District Governor Lyle Gustafson, Vice District Governor Ted Mikelsen and all those who contributed to securing the equipment for the Winfield community.
