WHEELING, W.Va.—

The Wheeling fire and police boats have a permanent home on the Ohio River. A brand new dock was installed earlier this year, and today officials cut the ribbon on the new venue.

Fire Chief Larry Helms said that never before did the city departments have their own dock. "Before, we would just use other people's docks who allowed us to, but now we don't have to do that anymore," said Helms.

After failing to get grant money to build a dock, Consol Energy donated roughly $25,000 to the department to build one.
"These guys, paid and volunteer, are a necessity to not only us, should there be an accident, but everyone, and this is our way of giving back to the community," said David Kelly of Consol Energy.

Helms said that the dock is just behind Fire Station No. 5 on Wheeling Island.

He said the city will add a gate to the area and cameras for security.

Consol also announced several other grants to local volunteer departments in the Ohio Valley at today's event.