SOUTH WAYNE - The South Wayne Fire Department learned Thursday it would receive a $68,194 grant from the United States Fire Administration (USFA).
Fire Chief Dale Carolan said the department plans to use the money to purchase boots, helmets, coats and pants for the department's 22 firefighters.
The department also will be able to use the money to purchase a backup generator, which will allow it to use radios and have electricity in the building if storms knock out power.
"It's excellent for us," Carolan said of receiving the grant.
In 2007, the department received about $88,000 from USFA to replace breathing equipment for firefighters.
Carolan said his department responds to about 100 emergencies every year, which include fires and vehicle accidents.
The departartment will purchase the equipment it needs and then submit the bills to USFA for reimbursement, Carolan said.
USFA is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP), to support training, wellness and fitness, firefighting equipment, personal protective equipment and modifications to fire stations and facilities.
"This grant program has been an unqualified success in getting much-needed resources directly to local firefighters," Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., said.
"I have been and continue to be a strong supporter of this program, in no small measure because of the advocacy of Wisconsin firefighters. The members of both volunteer and career fire departments put their lives on the line on a daily basis for others and at virtually every meeting I have with Wisconsin firefighters, they tell me about the vital importance of these grants and how these grants allow them to get needed equipment and training they would otherwise be unable to afford."
Fire Chief Dale Carolan said the department plans to use the money to purchase boots, helmets, coats and pants for the department's 22 firefighters.
The department also will be able to use the money to purchase a backup generator, which will allow it to use radios and have electricity in the building if storms knock out power.
"It's excellent for us," Carolan said of receiving the grant.
In 2007, the department received about $88,000 from USFA to replace breathing equipment for firefighters.
Carolan said his department responds to about 100 emergencies every year, which include fires and vehicle accidents.
The departartment will purchase the equipment it needs and then submit the bills to USFA for reimbursement, Carolan said.
USFA is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP), to support training, wellness and fitness, firefighting equipment, personal protective equipment and modifications to fire stations and facilities.
"This grant program has been an unqualified success in getting much-needed resources directly to local firefighters," Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., said.
"I have been and continue to be a strong supporter of this program, in no small measure because of the advocacy of Wisconsin firefighters. The members of both volunteer and career fire departments put their lives on the line on a daily basis for others and at virtually every meeting I have with Wisconsin firefighters, they tell me about the vital importance of these grants and how these grants allow them to get needed equipment and training they would otherwise be unable to afford."