Boothbay Fire & Rescue was recently awarded a grant for a full pallet of water from the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), Anheuser-Busch and Valley Beverage.

One of the key issues facing firefighters is proper hydration on a fire and rescue scene. With firefighters in full personal protection gear and self-contained breathing apparatus, and carrying rescue and fire operations equipment, this gear can weigh in excess of 60 pounds, with interior attack firefighters encountering temperatures inside a burning structure that can exceed 800 degrees in limited to no visibility.

At major fires and incidents there are typically over 40 firefighters and support personal on a scene, and these personnel can consume in total upwards of 120 cans of water at a fire.

With a retail value of the water valued at several thousand dollars, this grant award allows Boothbay Fire to spend budget dollars directly on fire and life safety equipment, which is critical for small volunteer fire departments to use every available dollar on equipment and training.

Deputy Chief Joe Hall noted “We are extremely grateful for this award from the National Volunteer Fire Council, Anheuser-Busch and Valley Beverage. We are truly fortunate in having the support and commitment from these organizations and companies, and this pallet of water will make a real difference in our fire operations and ensure our firefighters will have proper hydration, preventing more serious medical issues from occurring.

Sarah Lee, chief executive officer of the NVFC, said, “Anheuser-Busch’s continued commitment to supporting volunteer firefighters through emergency drinking water donations has made a meaningful impact. Since our partnership began in 2019, over 10 million cans have gone directly to departments across the country. These donations not only help keep responders safe and hydrated during wildfires and long incidents but also provide vital cost savings that allow departments to allocate their limited budgets to other critical needs.”

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, emergency medical services (EMS), and rescue services in the United States. Established in 1976, the NVFC serves as the unified voice for volunteer first responders nationwide, providing critical resources, programs, education, and advocacy to support their vital roles in communities across the country.

For those interested in learning more about the mission and purpose of the NVFC, or to make a donation, please visit their website at https://www.nvfc.org/about.