For the second time this month, a fire department in White County has announced a major funding award. The White County Fire Department secured a $103,950 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program.
The money will be used to buy three sets of new extrication equipment, commonly referred to as the ‘Jaws of Life,’ says White County Public Information Officer Bryce Barrett.
The battery-powered “Hurst E” tools the department plans to purchase are the current standard in extrication equipment.
“This equipment replaces the current gas-powered hydraulic equipment that is now antiquated and unserviceable,” says Barrett.
Officials say the conversion to battery-powered extrication equipment allows for quicker setup time and more efficient extrication in steep-angle rescues.
“This equipment is a great asset to the firefighters and the citizens that we serve,” says White County Fire Chief Michael LeFevre. “These tools will expedite emergency operations. This is a great win for White County.”
Earlier this month, the Cleveland Fire Department announced it received nearly $1 million in AFG funding to buy a new ladder truck.
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Cleveland awarded nearly $1M federal grant for new ladder fire truck
This article has been corrected to reflect it was the Cleveland Fire Department that secured AFG funding for a ladder truck, not the White County Fire Department, as previously reported.
