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Date: 6/12/2015
CHICOPEE – The Chicopee Police Department is hoping to upgrade its equipment for the department’s dive and recovery team through a $21,000 grant proposal.
Public Information Officer Michael Wilk explained to Reminder Publications the application to the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant is a source for funding the department has used in the past. For example, he noted the department received $190,000 for new portable radios through the program.
Wilk said this is the first time the department has applied for funding through this program for its dive gear. The reason for the upgrade is the number of bodies of water in the city’s jurisdiction. These include the Connecticut and Chicopee rivers, as well as the 25-acre pond in Chicopee State Park.
Capt. Daniel Sullivan, commanding officer of the Office of Professional Standards, wrote the grant.
The items requested include: “public safety dry suits – will protect divers from contaminants, as well as harsh conditions and cold water dives; thermal pullovers and thermal pants – added protection when diving in the frigid waters; scuba masks – these models provide optimal visibility in poor conditions; scuba fins – especially designed for use in fast current situations often found in both rivers; regulator/mouth piece apparatus – upgrades more than 13 year-old equipment, most of which are broken; dive knives; lift bags – these bags have the capability of lifting objects, or vehicles; dive gear bags, carabineers and dive clips – better storage and carrying of gear, and additional gear and extends longevity of gear as well; dive hoods, snorkels, gloves: upgraded equipment for safety; dive markers – marks divers locations, for safety; and wash: used for cleaning all gear, to maintain good working condition.”