Port Clinton Fire Chief Kent Johnson shows off a fire alarms that Elks Lodge No. 1718 helps to fund with $750 presented recently by Exalted Ruler Pamela Hatfield.

The Port Clinton Firefighters Association has received a $750 donation by the Port Clinton Elks Lodge No. 1718 that will be used towards the purchase of life-saving devices that can save lives and reduce risks in area homes and businesses. This specific donation will go towards the purchase of 64 smoke alarms and 21 carbon-monoxide detectors.

The donated funds are from the 2022-2023 Ohio Elks Association Community Service Grant written by the local Elks Lodge.

“We appreciate all of the financial help we can get with our program to provide smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors,” said Chief Kent Johnson. “We used to give them away if a structure didn’t have them, but now we do the installation to make sure it is properly installed.”

The Port Clinton Fire Department installs about 100 to 150 detectors each year.

Port Clinton’s volunteer firemen are also celebrating the purchase of a Rapid Response River Watercraft, and has worked with downtown businesses and the community to fund its floating dock on the Portage River near the Port Clinton city docks.

“The 14-foot Brig boat was purchased from J & J Sales of Port Clinton. It is an inflatable, but has a hard Kevlar hull to help with stability when we rescue someone. We can also mobilize it in a matter of minutes from the city docks on the lower Portage River,” said Johnson. “It can help to save lives from the mouth of the Portage River and the Lake Erie beach areas, and all of the way to Oak Harbor on the Portage River Water Trail.”