East Wood VFD receiving grant for new air tanks, masks
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DAVISVILLE -- The East Wood Volunteer Fire Department will receive more than $170,000 to purchase air tanks and masks for its members.
The funding comes from the federal Assistance to Firefighter Grant program through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and was announced recently by the office of U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.
"We're going to get 20 units and then enough masks that every firefighter will have their own mask," East Wood Chief Ron Utt said Tuesday.
There are 22 firefighters on the roster, he said.
Utt said the new equipment is much needed and could not immediately recall when the units had last been updated.
The $171,523 grant for East Wood was one of 12 for West Virginia fire departments announced in a release from Manchin's office.
"Our brave West Virginia firefighters risk their lives every day to protect our communities, and we must ensure they have the necessary equipment and resources to do their jobs safely and effectively. I'm pleased FEMA is investing more than $3.8 million to strengthen fire safety through these 12 departments," Manchin said in the release.