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Leaders Approve Fire Department Grant, Rezoning & New Press Box Name

FORT SMITH (KFSM) — One local fire department received a big donation that will allow firefighters to purchase equipment that the city couldn’t affo...
fire department

FORT SMITH (KFSM) — One local fire department received a big donation that will allow firefighters to purchase equipment that the city couldn’t afford.

According to department officials, Firehouse Subs and Shared Services Center donated a combined amount of $35,528 to help the Fort Smith Fire Department. Crews spent some of the money on a new battery powered hydraulic rescue device; which is basically like the Jaws of Life. Since the new spreaders are battery powered, there won’t be any cords, which will make the job easier for firefighters.

The other item that was purchased with the grant money was an electric hydraulic pump for one of their fire trucks, which will run the rest of their hydraulic tools. Before, crews used a pump that was gas operated; but with the electric, it’s better for the environment and crews won’t have to worry about running out of fuel.

Firefighters said this is the first time that Firehouse Subs has given the Fort Smith Fire Department money.

“We’ve never applied for a grant with them, and we were able to receive it so we are very thankful for that,” said Boyd Waters with the Fort Smith Fire Department. “We are excited it was a lot of money that saved the City of Fort Smith and it was something we really needed for this truck,” Waters said.

The Fort Smith Board of Directors also faced decisions Tuesday night (Aug. 2) dealing with rezoning requests and a new name for the press box at a local softball field. City leaders approved to not build new duplexes near South 40th, South 37th and South N Streets.

Neighbors against the building of new duplexes took the issue to the city council to be discussed. The directors approved the neighborhood’s request, and construction of the duplexes will not begin.

Property owners on Mesa Drive were also hoping to have property rezoned for multi-family housings. The board of directors also approved this request.

The softball field and press box at Martin Luther King Park both have new names following Tuesday’s meeting.

Players will soon gather at “Grizzly Field.” The new press box will be named “The Lawrence ‘Buzz’ Wood” press box, in honor of both Lawrence ‘Buzz’ Wood Sr. and Lawrence ‘Buzz’ Wood Jr. Both were prominent football, basketball and track coaches in Fort Smith.

The total cost of the project at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park is a little more than $100,000. The project was funded through the city’s half-cent sales and use tax.

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