Jaime Willis, staff writer

The Blair Volunteer Fire Department will be receiving some much needed federal funding in the amount of $44,000 to help with the costs of upgrading equipment.

U.S. Third District Congressman Frank Lucas announced that the funding will be dispersed via the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The money, according to Blair Fire Chief Dennis Davis, will be used to purchase 15 sets of structure bunkers, which are the flame retardant boots, jacket and pants that firefighters wear into burning buildings. Each suit costs $1,500. Eight air packs with voice devices and built-in alarms that sound if a firefighter is stationary for 20 seconds will also be purchased with the funds.

Many rural residents of Blair may be unaware that they are required by law to join their fire district at the City Hall at a cost of $40 a year. If a rural resident of Blair has not paid her fire district dues and she calls in a fire, there is a charge of $250 an hour to put the fire out.

"That $250 doesn't even pay for those trucks to run out there," Davis said.

Davis pointed out that this law is statewide, and that Eastern Oklahoma charges rural residents $500 an hour to put out fires.

In-town residents of Blair pay their fire district dues through a $3 charge per month on the utility bill. These rural and in-town dues help support the fire department's costs.

Lucas pointed out the asset this funding will be to the Blair community.

"This funding is great news for the firefighters in Blair," Lucas said. "Like much of Oklahoma, their fire department must work with limited resources and staff, so this funding will certainly be utilized."rom the Altus headquarters, Greer and Harmon counties responded, along with the Altus Fire Department.