City of Neosho Fire Department receives FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant

The City of Neosho Fire Department was awarded a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant in summer 2023 to install exhaust removal systems in fire stations 1 and 2. Exhaust removal systems help eliminate exposure to diesel exhaust which is discharged from fire apparatus. Exposure to this gas has been linked to cancer and other debilitating diseases.

Neosho Fire Chief, Aaron Houk says this is a great upgrade for the department. “Firefighter safety is always a top concern, and we are making changes in the way we operate to help reduce the effects of diesel exhaust on our personnel. This is one of many changes we are making to keep our Neosho Fire Fighters safer.”

The City was awarded $98,000 and bought SBT (sliding balancer track) and SSR (straight suction rail) systems from MagneGrip Exhaust Removal Systems.

These systems advertise 100% effective capture of diesel discharge. Houk says “when we capture the exhaust particles at the source, the tail pipe of the apparatus, we make our station safer for our personnel as well as to any visitor that comes into our station.”

These systems were completed January 12th of this year.