September 29, 2004

WASHINGTON -- Congressman Tom Petri reports that the Van Dyne Volunteer Fire Department has received a $44,010 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The funds will be used to purchase 15 new self-contained breathing units.

"The ones that we have are old and outdated," said 1st Assistant Chief David Babler, who greeted the news of the grant with, "That's grand!"

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."