Franklin Search & Rescue Awarded Grant for Communications

FSAR was awarded a $ 4,380 grant to purchase handheld radios to improve SAR communications at the March 6, Franklin County Commissioner's meeting. The TIF grant is the result of the TransCanada, Kibby Wind Project in the un-organized territory above Stratton. 

A group of FSAR members began working on the proposal last November completing and submitting the final application on Christmas Eve. “This is very exciting, news” said Steve Mitman secretary for FSAR. “We are currently relying on the personal 2-way handheld radios of just two team members and a set of team 'talk about' UHF radios (like those used by families when skiing) for scene communication!”  This grant will allow FSAR to purchase six VHF narrow band 16-channel portable radios. “These radios will make a significant impact on on-scene communication during search and rescue operations” Mitman said, “We will now be able to communicate with all participating agencies at the rescue scene which can include, fire departments, NorthStar ambulance, wardens and law enforcement and each other.”

Mitman said that the equipment purchase will happen “as soon as we get the check!” FSAR is an all volunteer SAR group based in Kingfield, Maine. They meet on the 2^nd Wednesday of the month at the Kingfield fire station at 6:30 p.m. They welcome all interested people to come check them out.

For more information about the grant, check out the Daily Bulldog Article here:

 http://www.dailybulldog.com/db/features/commissioners-approve-projects-for-tif-funding/