Eagle Scout builds drying rack for GRFD

The Green River Fire Department's jobs will be a little safer and easier thanks to the efforts of local Eagle Scout Hunter Rushing.

The Eagle Scout Service Project is an opportunity for members of the Boy Scouts of America who've worked their way up through the scouting ranks to demonstrate their leadership skills by finding ways to give back to their community.

In coming up with his Eagle Scout Project, Rushing decided to focus on helping the first responders who constantly serve the community.

Rushing's project idea was to build a drying rack for the Green River Fire Department's firefighting gear.

"In fighting fires, soot and smoke become imbedded in a firefighter's bunker gear," the Green River Fire Department explained in a press release. "This soot releases carcinogens like sulfur dioxides and nitrogen oxides into the air. Over-exposure to carcinogens comes with a price, including coronary heart disease, asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory illnesses."

Rushing knew the risks associated with the carcinogens that can come from firefighting gear. In an effort to help the GRFD properly clean and care for their equipment, Rushing made his Eagle Scout Project an effort to build a drying rack for the firefighter's bunkers.

"In the past the Green River Fire Department would hang dry their gear after washing it, which was time consuming," the press release explained. "With this drying rack, it will substantially cut the drying time down."

Rushing first presented his idea to the firefighters at GRFD during their weekly training in early June. After that presentation he began to put plans together to make his drying rack a reality. Once he had it built, he presented the finished project and demonstrated its use to the fire department during GRFD training on September 21.

"Green River Fire Department would like to thank Hunter Rushing for his idea, skill, and commitment to help keep our firefighters safe," the press release said.