The City of Bethel is hoping to get help for its volunteer fire department from the U.S. Forest Service.
On Tuesday night, the Bethel City Council directed the administration to apply for a grant that would cover the cost of two new heavy duty, heat resistant firefighter outfits known as “turnout gear.” New firefighter turnouts don't come cheap. Two of them would cost over $8,000, but the city would only have to pay a 10 percent match if awarded the grant. The city says that the gear would go to staff whose gear does not meet National Fire Protection Association standards.