Ark. First Responders Receive Equipment Grant Money
Feb. 03—First responders in Sebastian and LeFlore counties have received grant money from Diamond Pipeline LLC.
The average grant value was between $7,000-$10,000. The joint venture between Plains All American Pipeline and Valero donated $1 million to 130 first responder organizations in 2017, supplementing the training and equipment resources of fire, police and EMS responders along the pipeline route.
Kevin Hoffman, chief of Latham—Dog Creek Fire Department in LeFlore County, said in a news release the Diamond first responder grant allowed his department to purchase new breathing equipment for firefighters in the event of an emergency.
Dale Seiter, president of White Bluff-Rye Hill Volunteer Fire Department in Sebastian County said the Diamond Pipeline First Responder Grant allows his department to purchase "much-needed equipment."
The Diamond Pipeline commenced operations in December 2017 and now delivers crude oil from the Cushing, Okla. storage complex to the Valero Memphis Refinery, which produces gasoline, diesel and jet fuel for residents in Arkansas and several other states in the region.
Spanning 22 counties in three states, more than 2,200 individuals helped construct the Diamond Pipeline. The Diamond Pipeline now employs approximately 15 full-time employees.
