Published: October 14, 2008 09:08 am      

Woodlawn Fire receives Monsanto grant

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

WOODLAWN — Woodlawn Fire Protection District was one of two fire departments that benefited from a $12,000 Monsanto Fund grant.

“It’s the giving arm of Monsanto Corporation,” Centralia site manager Duane Scott said. “Every year, Monsanto gives millions of dollars to communities nation-wide, and we get a portion for grants in this area. The two grants we gave this year just happened to be fire departments, with Woodlawn and Germantown being chosen.”

Woodlawn Fire used the grant funds to purchase a thermal imaging camera, which measures heat and heat sources. According to Bill Shega of the department, the camera can be used in search and rescue, and to find hot spots at fire scenes, which can mean less damage to homes when fire fighters work to put a fire out.

“This camera is something we’ve wanted for quite some time up here,” Shega explained. “Without the grant, we never would have gotten one.”

Shega said the department learned of the grants through some community members who work at the plant, including Mark Burton and Mary Koenegstein. Shega and fire department member Joe Eckleberry wrote the grant.

According to Scott, the grant is open for many types of community activities, with prior year grants being given to schools for projects such as a mobile science classroom, school gardens and tutoring opportunities.