The Lenoir Fire Department will use a federal grant to upgrade the vehicle exhaust systems at both fire stations.
The $86,002 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security was announced by U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry. The money is administered through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.
“We had determined that due to the relative age of both of our fire stations, the diesel fumes from our fire apparatus presented a significant risk to our personnel,” Chief Ken Briscoe said. “This filtration system will capture the vehicle exhaust and eliminate it from the premises without it being released into the station. We can’t thank Congressman McHenry enough for the support he continues to show our department and the fire service as a whole.”
“Lenoir is blessed to have a professional fire service with Chief Briscoe and Assistant Chief Ken Hair at the helm,” McHenry said. “The health and safety of firefighting personnel is priority number one and this grant will go a long way in ensuring that goal.”
A panel of fire experts at DHS awards AFG grants through a competitive review process. McHenry hosts workshops for 10th District EMS and fire departments to help guide personnel through the process and give them an inside view of what the committee looks for in a grant application.
The workshops are taught by Cherryville Fire Chief Jeff Cash, a nationally recognized expert in his field and former member of DHS’s AFG review committee. Since McHenry and Cash began the program, 10th District EMS and fire departments have consistently won more firefighters grants than most of North Carolina’s other congressional districts, according to a news release from the 10th Congressional District office.
During the 2010 AFG funding cycle, $1,169,512 was awarded in 20 grants in the 10th District. Thus far in the 2011 funding cycle, $60,205 has been awarded to district departments.
McHenry said more grants will be announced.
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