Winter Coats Help Keep Families Warm and Firefighter’s Safe!

Lt. Dooley and FF Vaccarello presenting the coats to Julie Morrison

Recently federal safety standards regarding roadway accident scene safety have changed. These changes included vehicle markings and personal safety equipment for emergency responders. In order to protect our personnel, as well as meet the new standard, the Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Department applied for and was awarded a federal grant from FEMA under the “Assistance to Firefighters” grant program. This grant purchased new winter coats with highly visible reflective markings for every member of the department.

The department got to thinking about what to do with the old coats, which were still in good condition. So the department has generously donated thirty gently used winter coats to the Rotary International Club’s “Coats off Your Back” campaign. The department delivered the coats to Julie Morrison, a Deerfield Rotary member and the West Deerfield Township Supervisor, who will put them to good use.

The department is elated that the coats will find their way to people in need during this winter season, as well as the increased safety factor the new coats have given our firefighters when responding to roadway accidents.