News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Fentress County Fire Department applying for a gear and training grant.
Chief Larry Cooper said the State Fire Marshal’s Office can help provide funding to fire departments across the state to make needed purchases. He said the funding focuses on protective equipment for firefighters.
“We’ve got a need for several sets of fire gear to be purchased for the firemen,” Cooper said. “So it really helps a rural county like ours get some much-needed funding to help replace equipment that we’ve got that’s outdated.”
Cooper said it will cover the whole set of turnout gear, including the SCBA breathing apparatus. He said they hope to replace about 16 sets of gear.
Cooper said they are applying for about $181,000. He said without the grant funding, it would take several years for the department to be able to replace what they need.
“Our application was due December 1st,” Cooper said. “I’m not sure when they’ll start notifying people when they will be awarded.”
