Port grant would fund fire boat

South Whidbey Fire/EMS may soon purchase a new fire boat. Thanks to a Port of South Whidbey grant, the fire protection district will be able to look at new bids for the vessel, and Assistant Chief Paul Busch will report to the commissioners at the July meeting with the price estimates.

June 22, 2012 5:57 pm

South Whidbey Fire/EMS may soon purchase a new fire boat. Thanks to a Port of South Whidbey grant, the fire protection district will be able to look at new bids for the vessel, and Assistant Chief Paul Busch will report to the commissioners at the July meeting with the price estimates.

South Whidbey Fire/EMS is part of the South Whidbey Marine Security and Resiliency Consortium, along with the Port of South Whidbey, which is the lead agency in the alliance. The fire protection district applied and was approved for $210,000 almost three years ago to purchase a fire boat, but funding was re-appropriated. Fire Chief Rusty Palmer said there may be more money available to purchase a new boat, but he would not know until the funds are awarded.