Company gives utility vehicle to Lewis County rescue squad

LOWVILLE — Lewis County Search and Rescue has a new utility vehicle, thanks to the nation's largest smokeless tobacco company.

The rescue squad recently received a Polaris Ranger six-wheeler through a grant program offered by U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Inc., which annually provides such vehicles to two organizations in each state.

"This is the fourth year I've applied for it, and we finally got it," said Wendell J. Kuhl, a volunteer with Search and Rescue.

The vehicle can be used in searches and to reach victims of all-terrain vehicle, horse and even some snowmobile accidents in remote locations, Mr. Kuhl said. It also may be used at football games, the Lewis County Fair and other events at the county fairgrounds, he said.

Search and Rescue officials plan to equip the new vehicle with a windshield, rack and lights and purchase a trailer to haul it. They are seeking donations to help fund that project.

"We've already got some money donated," Search and Rescue Director James F. Deavers said, specifically mentioning the Otter Creek Horse Trail Club as a contributor.

Two officials from the East Syracuse office of Altria Group Inc., the parent company of U.S. Smokeless Tobacco, visited the Search and Rescue office on West State Street on Thursday morning to formally present the vehicle to the squad.