Staff report

A local fire station has received nearly $73,000 in a fire grant from the U. S. Department of Homeland Security.

Union Volunteer Fire Department will apply $72,984 in federal funds it received this past week toward operations and safety.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that more than $7 million in direct assistance grants would be awarded to 63 fire departments and first responder organizations through the department’s Fiscal Year 2006 Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.

Additional phases will soon be announced that will total $485 million in grant awards to approximately 5,000 fire-related organizations nationwide.

“Emergency response is inherently local, and these resources support those who serve us all, our nation’s firefighters,” said Under Secretary for Preparedness George Foresman.

“By building emergency response capability through training and first responder equipment, the grant program is helping to strengthen readiness throughout the country. These are smart investments that protect our firefighters and help to save lives in our communities.”

Since 2001, the grant program has provided $2.4 billion in grants to fire departments and first responder organizations for response equipment, personal protective equipment, vehicles and fire prevention activities.