Four Windham County fire departments have received federal grant money, according to a joint news release on Oct. 6 by Vermont's congressional delegation.
A total of $1,635,648 was awarded in 15 federal grants. The awards are part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, which helps fire departments purchase critically needed equipment to better protect the public and first responders.
This year's Assistance to Firefighters grants will help buy a range of equipment, including turnout gear, breathing apparatus, a brush truck, and radios.
The grants announced Oct. 6 are in addition to a $329,378 FEMA grant that the Vermont Public Safety Department's Division of Fire Safety received last month to help the Division implement “Fire Safe 802,” a statewide, rural-home, fire-safety education project.
The federal grants were awarded locally to:
• Champion Fire Company of South Londonderry: $84,096;
• NewBrook Fire Department: $93,334;
• West Dummerston Volunteer Fire Department; two grants, one for $40,000; the other for $76,096;
• Wilmington Fire Department: $19,643.
The next Assistance to Firefighters Grant application period is expected to open this fall.