| After several conversations by phone and email with Chief Gaston Wilson, Jr. of the Nichol VFD in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, he and his wife visited the fire station to personally thank the members of the Union Bridge Fire Company for the advice given about federal grants. Unfortunately, the members that gave them the advice were not at the station. As noted in a previous story, Chief Wilson signed our guestbook thanking us for the advice about grants, that helped them acquire a new fire engine.
During this visit, he said that our advice not only helped them with one grant, but actually two grants. He said their department was skeptical about even trying to request grant money since their department was small and "in the middle of nowhere". However, after speaking with members here when he visited a couple of years ago, his department applied for a grant for turnout gear, SCBA, positive pressure ventilation fans and other equipment totaling over $30,000. Then, they applied for another grant for the fire engine which was mentioned in a previous story on this website.
An emotional Chief Wilson also talked about the loss of Chief Steven Allen Sullivan in 2008. He and Chief Sullivan started the Nichol Volunteer Fire Department in the 1990's and during a mutual aid call after a tornado in Waley, Alabama, Chief Sullivan fell ill and died a week later. Since this time, the department has held steadfast and continues to provide a valuable volunteer service to their community.
The Chief and his wife are both from Maryland originally and were not only visiting us, but also family in the area. After a one hour visit, Chief Wilson and his wife thanked us again for our advice as we wished them a safe trip and good luck in the future. Congradulations Chief Wilson and the Nichol VFD. |
