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Show Firefighters In Tropic Receive Grant To Improve Safety And Operations Utah Senator Bob Bennett announced today a $106,375 federal grant awarded to the Tropic Volunteer Fire Department by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) for firefighter fire-fighter training and protective equipment. "Communities throughout the state's southwest region depend on these volunteers for the safety and security of their families and property. This grant will help ensure these firefighters firefight-ers have the equipment needed to do their jobs," said Bennett. "I commend them for the incredible service they provide our state." The grant will be used to update protective equipment, purchase radios to enhance communications com-munications system and new classroom training materials. The department will also use the grant to obtain 12 self-contained breathing apparatus units (SCBA), which provide firefighters fire-fighters with breathable air when they are in oxygen-deficient - environments. Additionally, the new SCBAs will be compatible with other fire departments throughout the southwest region. "Not only is this program beneficial to our community and department, it will benefit the entire county by being prepared to respond to major infrastructures that are critical to this area," said Ronald Harris, Tropic fire chief. Centrally located, the Tropic Volunteer Fire Department is a member of the Southwest Regional Response Team, which assists in protecting Bryce Canyon National Park. Forty three Utah fire departments depart-ments have received over $2 million this year through the USFA Assistance for Firefighters program, which distributes dis-tributes grants weekly to fire departments nationwide. Congress appropriated nearly $750 million in funds during the 2004 fiscal year for training, equipment and fire prevention programs. For more information on the Assistance to Firefighters program pro-gram please visit the Office for Domestic Preparedness website at www.firegrantsupport.com. USFA is a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency within the Department of Homeland Security. |
