September 21, 2005

WASHINGTON -- Congressman Tom Petri reports that the Woodland Fire Department has received a $50,160 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The funds will be used to purchase modern breathing equipment for firefighters to use in fires. Woodland Fire Department Chief Bill Lackas explained that the department's current breathing equipment is 20 years old, and two units failed during a fire last December. "The heavy metal bottles came off the packs," he said. The new equipment will be made with carbon fiber which will be much lighter and easier for use by female firefighters, he said.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant program awards one-year grants directly to local fire departments, enhancing their abilities to respond to fire and fire-related hazards in their communities.

"We ask a lot more of fire departments than we used to - not simply fire fighting but also fire prevention, safety programs, emergency medical services and even terrorist threats," said Petri. "These grants are meant to help local communities cope with the added expenses in order to keep us all safer."