New Groveland Fire Department gear rack purchased from the generous donation to the GFFA from the estate of James Chooljian. (Photo Courtesy Groveland Fire Department) New Groveland Fire Department gear rack purchased from the generous donation to the GFFA from the estate of James Chooljian. (Photo Courtesy Groveland Fire Department) New Groveland Fire Department gear rack purchased from the generous donation to the GFFA from the estate of James Chooljian. (Photo Courtesy Groveland Fire Department)
GROVELAND – Chief Robert Valentine and the Groveland Fire Fighters Association are pleased to announce that the Groveland Fire Department recently purchased a fire personal protective gear rack due to the generosity of a long-standing bequest.
Groveland resident James Chooljian, a member of the Groveland Fire Department, died in 1995. Chooljian’s wife passed away in 2002. In 2006, the Chooljians’ estate donated money to the GFFA for the sole purpose of purchasing equipment for the Fire Department. Over the years Groveland Fire has purchased equipment items with this funding.
The decision to purchase the gear rack was made by both the Groveland Fire Department and the GFFA.
The previous gear racks were built by Groveland firefighters, and firefighters had to keep their gear on the ground, where it couldn’t dry properly between calls. If firefighters responded to a call in the rain or snow, their gear would sit in puddles, not able to dry properly, often still being wet and cold when department members raced to the next incident.
The new gear rack can hold coats, helmets, boots, pants, and all necessary wearable firefighting gear. This means all gear is now able to dry properly between calls.
“We are extremely grateful for this funding, and I want to acknowledge James Chooljian for this generous donation he left us,” said Chief Valentine. “This is a major improvement for us, especially in how we properly store our wearable gear and makes a huge difference for everyone.”
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