Meridian Volunteer Fire Department receives $10,000 grant from State Farm® to purchase needed equipment 

Department will hold community event with State Farm and the National Volunteer Fire Council on 10-19-2024 

Just in time for Fire Prevention Week, October 6-12, Meridian Volunteer Fire Department is excited to announce that it is one of 100 volunteer fire departments across the nation to receive a $10,000 grant through the State Farm^® Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program. In collaboration with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), State Farm has awarded $1 million in grants to help local fire departments obtain needed equipment to increase their responders’ safety, effectiveness and ability to serve their community. 

With this grant, Meridian Volunteer Fire Department will be able to purchase hoses, hose washer, hose racks, hose dryer, nozzles, gated wye’s, and additional equipment. This will assist in firefighter safety on scene and within the station, assists with time saving techniques and ways to organization and reload equipment on apparatus.  Our nozzles and hose are very old and seen better days, this will help with deployment and suppression on a fire scene in our community and neighboring communities. 

Meridian Volunteer Fire Department is a rural department in east Logan County serving approximately 2500 citizens in a 90-mile fire district.  On a yearly average we run approximately 150 calls between Fire, Auto, Medical, and mutual aid. 

“Our firefighters work hard to protect our community – helping their neighbors on their worst day. It is critical that we are able to provide these dedicated volunteers with the tools and resources they need to do their job safely and effectively,” said Chief Pross. “Thanks to this donation from State Farm and the National Volunteer Fire Council, we will be better equipped and prepared so we can respond at our best.”  

In addition, State Farm and the NVFC will join Meridian Volunteer Fire Department for a Bean and Firefighter Chili cook off on 10-19-2024 between 5 and 8 PM. The community is invited to come to 12250 Hwy 105 to meet your local firefighters and learn more about what the department does for the community. Representatives from State Farm and the NVFC will also be there to present the grant to department members. Find more information at https://meridianfd.org. 

This is the inaugural year of the State Farm Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program. Volunteer fire departments play a critical role in protecting communities across the country, especially small towns and rural areas. However, they often operate on tight budgets and struggle to find the funding for needed equipment. In collaboration with the NVFC, State Farm aimed to award 50 grants to local fire departments. However, the overwhelming response prompted State Farm to double its commitment to 100 grants, benefiting even more local departments and communities. 

State Farm also provided all applicants with a membership in the NVFC – the leading nonprofit association representing the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services – so they have access to additional tools, resources, and training to help them thrive. 

Learn more about the State Farm Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program at www.nvfc.org/statefarm.