The City of Kenai accepted and appropriated the use of a $5,000 grant to be utilized by the Fire Department.
The Kenai Fire Department applied for a $5,000 grant through the Marathon Petroleum Foundation to purchase a portable ground monitor, and the grant was awarded. The City Council decided to accept the money and utilize it.
City Manager Paul Ostrander offered details on the apparatus that the grant is paying for: “I can tell you that this is an item that increases the flow [of water] significantly in the case of a fire. It is a portable unit and it’s more versatile than the ones that actually hook-up to the engine itself. I don’t believe it attaches to the engine itself, it is something that they take with them and it actually is placed next to the engine.”
Council Member Jim Glendening discussed other potential applications for the device: “Of course, down at the refinery, I could see how it could be applied. This is a pressure and volume enhancer. It could be used at the airport, should it be needed. Or, it could be used at the harbor, should it be needed, also. There could be application for that. I think it’s a welcome addition to our inventory.”
Mayor Brian Gabriel expressed his gratitude: “We’re working with Marathon to prove mutual aid out there. It’s such a valuable resource to the community, and it’s definitely nice for them to know that we are there for their support, if they need us to.”
Ordinance 3164-2020 passed unanimously.
