Walkerville fire dept. receives grant funds for equipment

WALKERVILLE — Grant money totaling nearly $18,000 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will allow Walkerville Area Fire & Rescue to buy new equipment.

The department will receive a $17,953 grant from the homeland security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, according to a press release from U.S. senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow. The funds are aimed to “support local operations and safety improvements,” the press release states.

Walkerville Fire Department Administrator and retired fire chief Jerry Frick said the money will be used to purchase two thermal imaging cameras to aid firefighters when they are searching for victims inside a home; find hot spots; and search for other dangers.

The program awards grants directly to fire departments, non-affiliated Emergency Medical Services (EMS) organizations, and state fire training academies to increase their ability to protect the public’s health and safety, as well as that of the first responders, the press release states.