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Grant keeps fire crews ready to go
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MONROE - More than $105,000 will be coming to Monroe volunteer firefighters for turn-out gear - the specialized equipment each firefighter needs for their hazardous work.

"It's coming at a good time," said Chief Daryl Rausch. "With the new fire station, they need two sets of gear."

An Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) for $99,988 was awarded Friday to the Monroe Fire Department. Monroe Fire Department must match five percent of the award, giving firefighters a total of $105,250.

The AFG is a program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Rausch said the funds will be used to replace about half of the firefighters' personal turn-out gear.

"It takes about $2,300 for a set of turn-out gear, and it has a life (span) of about five to ten years, depending upon how active the firefighter is," Rausch said.

A grant in 2003 also allowed the department to buy all new gear.

Since that time, however, some of the gear has simply worn out, and the department has acquired new personnel, Rausch said.

U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, informed Rausch of the award Wednesday.

This is the eighth such grant the department has won over the past 8 years, for a total of more than $2 million.

The Monroe Fire Department moved its headquarters last October to a newly constructed station on 17th Street, on the city's west side. The downtown station is still operating. Officials have said having two stations is necessary to trim response times for emergencies.

South Wayne Fire Department also received $16,625 from an AFG on Dec. 31, 2010.

About $12,000 of that was earmarked for equipment; and $5,000 for training.