KINNICONICK — The Kinniconick Volunteer Fire Department has received a $55,000 Assistance to Firefighters Grant from the United States Department of Homeland Security, Congressman Geoff Davis said Monday.

"These grants will make our communities safer," said Davis, "This important federal funding helps fire departments obtain critical equipment, vehicles and protective gear."

Davis said the primary goal of the federal grants is to meet firefighting and emergency response needs.

Local funding will be used to purchase essential fire fighting gear, said KVFD Chief Ronald Armstrong.

With the funding, the Lewis County department will purchase 10 self contained breathing apparatus units and 12 full sets of "turnout" gear. Turnout gear is "everything you (as a firefighter) need from head to toe," Armstrong said.

Armstrong is happy with the funding, "it's something we needed bad," he said.

Last year, the KVFD battled roughly 20 fires, including requests for mutual aid, said Armstrong.

Carl Chaney, Lewis County Emergency Management director, applied for the funding last spring.

"They got what they asked for," said Chaney, who was happy to hear the department's request was granted.

"It always makes you feel good when a grant you wrote gets approved," said Chaney.

Assistance to Firefighters Grants were awarded to five departments in Kentucky's Fourth Congressional District, resulting in more than $360,000 worth of assistance to the Campbell County Fire District One, Alexandria Fire District, Big Sandy Fire Department, Eminence Fire Department and to KVFD.

"I applaud the leaders of these organizations for their proactive efforts to secure funding through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program," said Davis

Every year, the Assistance to Firefighters regional staff conducts workshops nationwide to provide up-to-date information to grant applicants.

This year, the regional staff will host two workshops in the Fourth District, one in Erlanger and one in Ashland on March 7. The workshops are free and no registration is required.

Davis encourages any fire or EMS organization that would benefit from such a grant to contact his office at 859-426-0080 or visit www.firegrantsupport.com for additional information.

Contact Carrie Carlson at 606-564-9091, ext. 272.