September 23, 2004
Oostburg Fire Department
Receives Federal Grant
WASHINGTON -- Congressman Tom Petri reports that the Oostburg Fire Department has received a $69,345 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The funds will be used to replace self-contained breathing equipment.
Oostburg Fire Chief Richard Neerhof said that the new breathing equipment will replace gear that is 10 to 35 years old. "They are breaking down. The grant is a godsend," 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."