Aragon’s Fire Department is working with the Georgia Forestry Commission to obtain a Helping Hands grant, which would provide matching funds to purchase fire tech equipment.

Fire Chief Frank Matthews said Aragon firefighters could also participate in classes to become certified in the GFC Wildlands Training Program.

“Staff in our department would have opportunity to become part of a state strike team,” he said. “This would give us another tool in our training program.”

Matthews presented his plans in a report to Mayor Ken Suffridge and Aragon city council members on December 20.

He also asked the group to consider an offer from Redmond EMS that would involve swapping the department’s service truck for an ambulance, which has been converted into a special operations vehicle.

“It would benefit us since all of our equipment could be stored in a locked space,” Matthews said. “We could also use it as a command post for the annual barbecue and other events.”

Matthews reported that fire department staff has been busy cleaning the old swimming pool house. Plans are to use the building for training.

“A maze has been built and the structure is now ready for us to create a fire-related atmosphere,” he said.

Council members ap-proved an expenditure of up to $600 to purchase materials for roof repair and paint the pool house.

During the meeting, Mayor Ken Suffridge announced the first Aragon flag has been received and that it would be placed in the Council Chambers at the City Complex, located off U.S. Highway 101.