Carbon County is hoping to secure a state grant to purchase additional fire training equipment for the new Emergency Operations Training Center.

On Thursday, the board of commissioners authorized filing an application with the Office of the State Fire Commissioners for an Emergency Service Training Center Capital Grant of $65,944.

The grant would be used to purchase propane training props and associated equipment. There is no county match required with the grant.

Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein said that this will help volunteer firefighters with training because it will allow them to move props and create different scenarios.

“Hopefully we’ll get the funding,” he said.

The commissioners also ratified two resolutions recognizing Francis G. Kresge and Bruce Wolfe for 50 years of service with the Franklin Township Fire Company. The pair was honored earlier last week during a ceremony.

The commissioners commended the pair, as well as all volunteer firefighters for their commitment to their communities.

Nothstein said that at the ceremony, there were about 250 people and if adding up all the years of service by the firefighters in attendance, these men and women made up thousands of years of service.

When asked if there were many firefighters who have made the 50-year mark, the commissioners said they weren’t sure, but said that maybe that would be something worth looking into because it is an honor.

They also said that volunteers of fire company auxiliaries should be counted in that list because there are several volunteers who help keep the fire companies funded through their service and have been there from the beginning.

Nothstein said fire companies are always looking for volunteers, not just for fighting fires, but also for bookkeeping, fundraising, secretarial services and more.