By By Chandler Myers
Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to enhance operations and safety equipment.
FEMA awarded $708,307 from the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program to local fire departments around the state last week.
Nokomis was awarded $112,096 from the AFG on July 8 as a part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s AFG program.
U.S. Fire Administration administrator Greg Cade said the AFG is the federal government’s way to improve the response services of local fire and emergency teams.
Seven other fire departments in the state were awarded with money from the AFG last week including Daphne, Hartford, Buttston, Richville, Pea Ridge, Georgia Mountain and Blue Springs.
The grants enable fire and emergency departments to fund or receive training, conduct first responder health and safety programs and purchase equipment and response vehicles.
Nationally during the fiscal year the 2008 AFG awards will provide $500 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations around the country.