Fort Scott Fire Department receives grant money for testing, health equipment

Good news comes to the Fort Scott Fire Department as it receives grant money.

Senator Sam Brownback wished congratulations to four fire departments in Kansas including the Fort Scott Fire Department for receiving money from the Assistance to Firefighters Grants.

"I am pleased that a national grant program chose several Kansas fire departments to receive much-needed money," said Brownback.

According to the release the FSFD will receive $27,343 in grant money. Fort Scott Fire Chief Paul Ballou said the department is happy to receive the funds.

According to Ballou, the money will go to purchasing fitness equipment as well as medical testing.

"In recent years, our firefighters have become more health conscious," the department said in the application. "Staying healthy and physically fit is a basic necessity for us."

The department will purchase a treadmill, total body elliptical, upright bike, and a three station weight machine. The money will also go to paying for four stress tests, one for each firefighter over the age of 40 as well as a blood test and a physical exam for each firefighter.

Ballou said the fitness equipment will go to the new fire station.

"This will give (the firefighters) an opportunity to not have to drive over to the other station," Ballou said.

The goal of the AFG is to meet the needs of firefighters and emergency responders. According to www.firegrantsupport.com, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders to obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards since 2001.

This is not the first time FSFD has received AFG funding. In 2002, the department received money for a first response vehicle. In 2004 and 2005, the department received grant money for SCBAs (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) and a Bauer SCBA compressor. The most recent funds were received in 2007 to obtain a PlymoVent Exhaust Removal System.

Fort Scott was not the only local fire department to be awarded grant money, Linn County Rural Fire District No. 1 was also awarded $43,320.