GREAT VALLEY – Thanks to the efforts of the Great Valley
Volunteer Fire Department, nearby residents can rest assured that
in the event of a power outage, there will be a place to go where
they can keep warm and even prepare meals. A newly installed
propane operated generator will provide power to, not only the fire
hall, but the club house as well.
Since the club house can accommodate up to 250 occupants, many
Great Valley residents could find shelter there, which would be
particularly necessary for elderly, those on oxygen and families
with young children.
Don Kilbey has been with the Fire Department for over 30 years
and used to be Vice President. He has coordinated the project which
was originally estimated to cost ,70 thousand.
The 70 year-old former fireman was injured in 1996 and said he
had plenty of time to concentrate on the project. His research
resulted in the project’s completion at a total of ,40 thousand, or
a savings of ,30 thousand.
“And this projects didn’t cost the tax payers a penny, because
it was all paid for with proceeds from the annual Firemen’s
Regada,” he said.
Kilbey said he wanted to hank Clark Electric, Kilbey
Construction and J.D. Northrup Construction for their help with the
generator project which was completed this summer.
It took a long time to organize with National Grid and Clark
Electric was especially instrumental in helping with that
particular aspect of the job.
Just a few days after completion, there was a power outage in
Great Valley and the firemen got to try out the new generator,
which was supposed to come on automatically and did!
“It worked without a flaw for 12 hours.,” Kilbey said.