Central Indiana Ethanol (CIE) has made a generous donation to the Marion Fire Department responding to a need for a Foam Truck to effectively fight petroleum-based fires. CIE presented a check to MFD on Friday, July 16th, in the amount of $52,000 toward the purchase.
A Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) improves the fire-extinguishing capabilities of water, enhancing efficiency and reducing water usage. Foam is needed more and more to fight many types of fires resulting from automobile and aircraft accidents to industrial fires. The foam is a blanketing agent to smother the fire while also acting as a cooling agent to reduce burning.
With a Foam Truck, MFD will replace their old method of using a foam inductor to fight such fires which requires mixing versus the premixed and ready CAFS that also continuously produces foam. It will also be ideal for the CAFS to be on a truck as opposed to a trailer which further reduces response time.
Fire Chief Paul David expressed he could not be more grateful CIE’s generosity. “They have always been fantastic to work with in training, financial assistance, and our overall relationship. This time, they have really stepped up in answering our need. They are not only helping with fire suppression within the city but the county abroad. We can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done.”
CIE Environmental Health & Safety Engineer Mike Browder helped present the check to MFD. He said, “We are just happy to work with emergency responders and help provide our community with another resource for emergencies.”
Mayor Jess Alumbaugh expressed gratitude for CIE’s overall generosity. “CIE has always been community-minded in donating to our schools and more over the years. We are grateful for their presence in Marion and for this donation to improve MFD’s performance and versatility in their job.”
MFD is anticipated to have the Foam Truck in service around October of this year.
