Martins Ferry Fire Chief II Justin Smith is pleased that the state fire marshal awarded approximately $2.52 million to fire departments across Ohio, including the Martins Ferry Volunteer Fire Department. T-L Photo/JOSIE BURKHART

COLUMBUS — The state fire marshal awarded more than $2.5 million to fire departments across Ohio, including some in Jefferson, Belmont, Harrison and Monroe counties.

The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal awarded approximately $2.52 million to fire departments to better train and equip first responders to protect their communities, according to a news release. It added the funds were awarded through the fire marshal’s annual Equipment and Training Reimbursement grant programs for 2025.

These grant funds can be used to purchase items such as personal protective clothing, self-contained breathing apparatus and communications equipment, the press release states. Each of the departments use the money for their individual needs.

Among departments that received grant money were several that serve the Ohio Valley.

In Jefferson County, six departments received the equipment grant, including Belvedere Volunteer Fire Department at $14,920, East Springfield VFD at $15,000, Empire Fire Department at $15,000, Hillandale VFD at $14,379.21, Toronto VFD at $15,000 and Stratton VFD at $7,050.

East Springfield Fire Chief Tyler Yoho said the department will utilize its $15,000 award to purchase a new fire hose that will replace an existing hose that is no longer National Fire Protection Association compliant, creating a safer and more efficient atmosphere for its personnel.

Toronto VFD will be using the funds to buy bunker gear, because that is only good for 10 years, Chief Bill Scheel said.

“It’s about $5,000 a set, so that’ll give the opportunity to buy three sets of bunker gear a year,” he said. “And the more often that we get it, the more often we can switch bunker gear and get it on a continuous rotation to where you’re not having to buy all 30 sets of gear at one time.”

In Belmont County, two departments got the equipment grant. That money went to Cumberland Trail Fire District at $9,363.03 and Powhatan Point VFD at $12,109.40.

Cumberland Trail purchased a new hose and self-contained breathing apparatuses for the department with its grant money and will be getting another new hose that was on backorder. The hoses will be enough for all of its fire trucks.

Assistant Chief Daniel Grady said the new hose is now going to be able to pass yearly testing. He added that the big benefit of this grant is that the department is not taking money from residents through tax dollars to get the new equipment. He noted it’s important for the fire district to have the new hoses because they are key to putting out fires.

In Monroe County, the funding awarded totaled $30,000 with Beallsville VFD and Lewisville Community VFD each receiving $15,000.

Harrison County brought in $15,000 to Hopedale Volunteer Fire and Rescue, which will be using its money to purchase five sets of firefighter gear, such as jackets and pants. Fire Chief Mark Marchetta also emphasized the gear only has a 10-year-lifespan, and it’s important the department got this money because that gear is something firefighters absolutely must have.

Many of the departments were awarded money from the training reimbursement grant program, which benefits departments that provide fire protection to an area with a population of 25,000 or fewer residents. These funds can be used to participate in training classes and cover the cost of training manuals and student workbooks, according to the release.

“These grants provide our brave men and women with the life-saving training and equipment they need to save lives of Ohioans,” State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon said. “While these benefit and strengthen the state’s fire service, these funds are critically important to Ohio’s volunteer departments, which in many cases have very limited resources. We are proud to support the brave and selfless members of our fire service through the awarding of these grants.”

The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal awarded $14,177.55 to seven departments in Belmont County with the training grant. These include Barton VFD at $3,981.05, Bridgeport VFD at $1,400, Brookside VFD at $700, Cumberland Trail at $3,485.75, Lafferty VFD at $600, Martins Ferry VFD at $1,910.75 and Morristown Fire Department at $2,100.

Martins Ferry Fire Chief II Justin Smith said anytime there are certain trainings that firefighters have to do throughout the year, the department pays for it and upon successful completion, gets reimbursed.

“That’s money back into our pockets,” Smith said. “You spend it throughout the year, but at the end of the year, upon successful completion of the training, you’re able to get some of your money back. So, that’s another almost $2,000 we can put toward something else this year.”

Harrison County garnered $14,000 from the training grant with Bowerston VFD receiving $12,000 and Hopedale receiving $2,000.

In Jefferson County, six departments received a total of $23,735.60 with East Springfield receiving $1,400, Pottery Addition VFD with $6,970.60, Richmond Volunteer Fire and Rescue with $6,000, Steubenville Fire Department with $1,165, Tiltonsville VFD with $3,500 and Toronto VFD pocketing $4,700.

Scheel said the money the department got reimbursed will be a repayment to the volunteers who put the money out.

“We’re getting our people trained to a higher level, and then it’s a program to reimburse the volunteers, so they can free up that money to buy equipment,” he said.

Monroe County received $5,070 for four departments, which includes Beallsville VFD with $415, Bethel Township VFD with $665, Graysville VFD with $665 and Sardis VFD with $3,325.