Hermitage volunteer firefighters will get new protective gear and breathing equipment paid for in large part by a $160,600 federal grant, and the city took sealed bids for the equipment Friday.
Mayor Matt Cathey shared the update with residents at a meet-and-greet question session Tuesday, Oct. 20, at the Hermitage Community Center, according to a city recap published by Saline River News. The city and the Hermitage Volunteer Fire Department first announced the FEMA award in early October, as reported by The Eagle Democrat.
What the grant buys
The money comes from FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. The city’s legal bid notice lists the purchase in two lots.
- Turnout gear: Eight full sets of structural firefighting gear. Each set includes a coat, pants, helmet, boots, two hoods and two pairs of gloves.
- Air packs: Twelve self-contained breathing apparatus units, each with a harness, face piece and two air cylinders, plus two spare face pieces.
- Standards: All equipment must meet the 2024 edition of the NFPA 1970 firefighter safety standard. The breathing units must also be NIOSH-approved.
- Bids: Sealed bids were due at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23. The city said it will award each lot to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Police truck and street work
Cathey also told residents the Hermitage Police Department received a grant for a new police truck. The city recap did not give the amount or the source of that grant.
The mayor said the city plans street paving projects in 2027. He did not name the streets in the recap. The city encouraged residents to attend future council meetings and keep asking questions.
Why it matters in Bradley County
Hermitage relies on volunteers for fire protection, and turnout gear and air packs have set service lives before they must be replaced. Dry weather across Bradley County and Southeast Arkansas this fall has raised the risk of grass and woods fires. Hermitage sits southwest of Warren. More on the town is on iSEARK.com’s Hermitage page.
Sources: City of Hermitage recap via Saline River News; The Eagle Democrat; City of Hermitage legal bid notice (FEMA AFG award EMW-2025-FG-05118).
