The Ottawa Fire Department has announced another Assistance To Firefighters, or AFG, Operations Safety Grant Award. The Grant is for just under $42,000 and will be used to purchase Wildland Firefighting Personal Protective Equipment such as jackets, pants, helmets, goggles, shelters, gloves and gear backpacks. It will enable Ottawa firefighters to be better prepared for wildland fires in our county and the state, when the need arises.
Ottawa Fire Chief Tim Mathias says opportunities like this are monumental for the organizations and provide equipment that exceeds their annual budget. He says they have received just over $975,000 in Federal money the past four years with local responsibility only being $91,000. He says the massive savings help not only the fire department, but the community and taxpayers, to provide equipment to help Ottawa and surrounding communities, all while saving tax dollars.
