ADT gifts Malden Fire Department $10,000

MALDEN-Like most of the town, the fire station in Malden was burned down during the Babb Creek Fire Labor Day Weekend. The fire station received a $10,000 check from security company ADT Sunday, Dec. 7.

The check, presented by Bob Tucker, ADT Director of Corporate Affairs, to Malden volunteer fire chief Chad Fanara, will be used to help rebuild the fire station, which will in turn help support the department's six to 10 volunteers.

"Any donations at this point are great, because without them, I don't know how we're going to do it," Fanara said.

Tucker said ADT heard about the need in town following the fire in October. He then reached out to interim mayor Dan Newhouse in November to inform him of the gift.

"We work closely with the National Volunteer Firefighter Council, which represents about 70% of all firefighters," Tucker said. "They identified this fire department as being one in need...we believe strongly in supporting first responders, because we're in home security and business security."

Newhouse, who was sworn in as interim mayor Dec. 6, said the gift was amazing. He added that he felt humbled and honored that Malden was receiving the gift.

"There's just not enough words to really express what this means to us," Newhouse said. "This will help fill in the gaps that you never think of."

Whitman County Fire District No. 7 firefighters, Rosalia Fire Department firefighters, Malden locals and 9th Legislative District Representative Joe Schmick were all present for the check presentation outside the temporary town hall, constructed of trailers and tents.

"(The gift) is awesome. It's seed money they can use to get their feet back under them," said Bill Tensfeld, District No. 7 Chief. "They can get new equipment, a new fire station."

ADT's gift wasn't the only one Malden will be receiving this month. The Department of Natural Resources will be gifting the town a new brush truck Dec. 17.

Drew Lawson can be reached at [email protected].