Submitted Photo SRT Board members present a check to Upham Fire Supporters, Inc. for new safety equipment used by Upham Fire Protection District volunteer first responders. Frrom left to right are SRT District 3 Directors Stuart Rothe, Bruce Degenstein and John Marshall; John Takala, board vice president and treasurer of Upham Fire Supporters, Inc.; and Brady Podoll, board president of Upham Fire Supporters, Inc., wearing the new SCBA equipment.

SRT has announced a $2,500 donation to Upham Fire Supporters, Inc. toward the purchase of new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs) for Upham Fire Protection District’s volunteer first responders.

The SCBAs are critical equipment for protecting volunteers responding to fires or hazmat emergencies. Upham Fire Protection District volunteers described a recent response to a house fire that was “solid smoke” and required entering through the roof and attic, which they could not have done without SCBAs, according to SRT.

Cheston Erdman, fire chief for Upham Fire Protection District, indicated the district’s previous SCBAs reached end-of-life and were no longer viable safety equipment. Each new SCBA setup includes a carbon fiber tank, face piece, harness, and thermal imager for added safety.

“We appreciate SRT’s donation to ensure the safety of our volunteers,” said Kolena Drader, board secretary of Upham Fire Supporters, Inc., in the release.

Upham Fire Supporters, Inc. is a charitable organization established to support Upham Fire Protection District through financial, educational, safety and community programs.

Upham Fire Protection District serves more than 260 square miles and seven townships, including the nearby 59,000-acre J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge, with roughly 20 volunteer first responders.

“We appreciate the dedication of Upham Fire Supporters, Inc. and Upham Fire Protection District and were honored to help them acquire new equipment,” Stanley Vangsness, SRT Board president, said in the release.