Five Arkansas fire departments will split nearly $700,000 in federal grants to purchase equipment, training materials and vehicles, U.S. Sens. Mark Pryor and John Boozman and Reps. Tim Griffin and Steve Womack announced Thursday.
The fire departments in Hensley, Jonesboro, Shirley, Rudy and Van Buren were awarded the funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.
Hensley Volunteer Fire Department will receive $12,357 for communications equipment, which includes pages, mobile radios, headsets, portable radios and responder rehab equipment.
Valley View Fire Protection District in Jonesboro will receive $100,482 for turnout gear and breathing equipment.
Burnt Ridge Volunteer Fire Department in Shirley will receive $223,250 to purchase a water tender, used to draft water from hydrants and lakes.
The Crawford County Fire District One in Rudy will receive $229,197 for SCBA face pieces with cylinders, which are used as a firefighter breathing apparatus.
The Butterfield District 5 Volunteer Fire Department in Van Buren will receive $132,052 for a manufacturer burn simulator.
The Assistance to Firefighters Program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency is supported by the omnibus appropriations bill and provides fire departments with necessary tools and resources to protect the health and safety of the public, a news release from Griffin's office states.