The Powder River Energy (PRECorp) Foundation Board of Directors has given $4,000 in direct support to the Sundance Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) for safety equipment.

The department and its 12 volunteers provide emergency services, search and rescue, fire protection, and motor vehicle accident response for a large portion of Crook County, according to Deputy Chief Dallas Johnson.

The grant will specifically purchase 18 flashlights, 24 pairs of extrication gloves and 18 pairs of gloves for structure fire suppression. “The Sundance Volunteer Fire Department serves a local population of a little over 2,500 people, with an average of 200-plus calls each year,” Johnson said, “Varying between motor vehicle accidents, structure fires, wildland fires, and mutual aid to further reaches of the county.”

Johnson said the donation from the Foundation will ensure the responders have the proper equipment for their safety and to meet current regulatory requirements. “Firefighter life safety is a top concern,” Johnson said. “Without this gear, our ability to safely respond and aggressively fight fire is greatly impeded.”

“The Foundation Board remarked that this donation is vital for the residents and visitors to this area of northeast Wyoming, so they have all of the fire and emergency services available to them when needed,” said Foundation Executive Director Joe Roth. “The Sundance Volunteer Fire Department faces a variety of emergencies on a regular basis and needs to safely adapt with all of its essential equipment ready to respond.”

CAPTION: (PRECorp photo) Pictured from left are: Sundance VFD members Dave Jundt, Devin Lee, Thomas Engelhaupt, Dallas Johnson ( Assistant Chief), Curt Williamson (Chief), Curtis (Mac) Williamson, Foundation Director Zeta Anderson, Gari Gill, Foundation Director Mary Yemington, Ari Williamson (Cadet), Blake Homola, and Teddy Blakeman (Cadet). Not pictured are Sundance VFD members Chris Tomford, Kyndell Schell, and Dallas Rolf.