The Ainsworth Fire Department will be purchasing new equipment with grant funds from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

As part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, the Ainsworth Fire Department has received a $43,810 grant that will be used to purchase new helmets, coats, and pants. Fire Chief Waylon Schultz says it’s exciting to receive this grant, “It’s something that we really need in the department we’ve got new members and some of the stuff doesn’t fit our members properly plus it was up to its 10-year life span so it was time to replace a lot of it. We’re also in the process of trying to build a new fire station so this takes a lot of financial burden off of our fire agency to be able to be able to get a grant to pay for this gear so we can save some money to go towards the fire station.”

The grant will pay for 19 sets of new turnout gear. The AFG program allows first responders to purchase firefighting equipment, implement wellness programs that focus on health, and improve facilities.