By SUSAN WHEELDON, CJ Staff Writer
Faubush-Tri County Volunteer Fire Department has received a boost in funding through a federal grant.
Last week U.S. Senator Jim Bunning announced that the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded nine Kentucky fire departments a total of $913,699 and Faubush is one of the nine to receive funding through the grant.
Bunning said the funding will be used for fire operations and vehicle acquisition by a number of departments stretching across the Commonwealth.
The Faubush-Tri County Fire Department received $72,408.
“This is great news for Kentucky fire departments,” said Senator Bunning. “These funds are vital to ensuring that our firefighters in Kentucky have the tools necessary to handle emergencies in the safest and most effective manner possible.”
Faubush Fire Chief Staci Halcomb said they will use the money to buy personal protective equipment for the firefighters including turnout gear consisting of boots, gloves, helmets, coats, pants, Nomax hoods, flashlights and self contained breathing apparatus for each firefighter. Halcomb said they will also get some other equipment for the fire trucks such as hose nozzles and other items.
“It (the grant) helps us a whole lot and offsets the county having to buy this kind of equipment,” said Halcomb.
“I feel lucky and fortunate we did get it,” added Halcomb. “The fire department will be able to replace a lot of gear that was getting in bad shape.”
The chief noted the grant helps them get equipment that is often hard to get, since there are so many departments in the county.
“We’re all excited ... because this will put all of our firefighters in new turnout gear,” said Halcomb.
