SUMMIT STATION - The Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded an Assistance to Firefighters Grant to Summit Station Fire Company No. 1 on Friday.
The announcement was made by U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-17, who in a press release said that the grant is $18,525 and will go toward safety and operation expenses.
"It's grants like these that our fire companies rely on and, most of all, deserve," Cartwright said. "It is critical that the brave men and women who volunteer to put their lives on the line every day to keep Summit Station families safe have the equipment they need to most effectively do their jobs. This important investment will help save lives and keep our community safe."
Chief Brad Zimmerman said Monday that while the amount of the grant was $19,500, the fire company had to put out about $975 toward it and will be using the money to buy a new airbag system, used for heavy lifting.
The fire company's current system is "outdated" and has sustained "wear and tear" over the years.
Zimmerman said the company will also buy more stabilization equipment for automobile accidents.
"We didn't have the $20,000 to put out for it," Zimmerman said. "We decided to do the grant and were lucky enough to get it this year. It saves the community some money since they don't have to put that money out."
This is the first grant the fire company has received since it has been actively pursuing grants the past couple years, Zimmerman said. It's also the second time it received an AFG, while the first was years ago and Zimmerman wasn't sure how long ago it was.
"We are happy, that's for sure," he said.