GASPER TOWNSHIP — Last week, the Gasper Township Fire Department received its first shipments of supplies purchased with a $77,790 grant awarded last month.

In June, Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would award the funds to Gasper Fire Department for operations and safety expenditures needed to support and protect local firefighters. The funds were awarded through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program.

The AFG program helps firefighters and other first responders protect the public and themselves. Projects funded in the Operations and Safety category include training, facility upgrades and modifications, and supplies such as protective equipment.

“We just received the tools for our new tanker,” said fire chief Mike Jeffery. “That was $37,000 in tools, and that includes a new ‘jaws of life’ apparatus.”

With still more of the grant money available, Jeffery is now examining other needs for future purchases.

“The most important thing was getting the new tools in,” he said, “but we’ll be getting some new hoses and replacement gear, and gear cleaner and safety equipment. Spending that money will be a full year process, so we’re still checking things out. We’ll give it a little time.”

“Firefighters and first responders keep our communities safe in times of crisis,” Brown said in a June press release. “These funds will ensure that Gasper Township’s firefighters have the resources they need to continue to serve their community.”