Payne Fire Dept. gets fed vehicle funds

WASHINGTON, D.C. — New federal resources have been awarded to a fire department in Paulding County. U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) announced Wednesday that the Payne Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded resources for vehicle acquisition by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program.

“Our first responders put their lives on the line every day across Ohio,” said Brown. “These funds ensure that firefighters in Paulding County have the resources they need to perform their jobs safely.”

This is Round 5 of the competitive Fiscal Year 2011 AFG announcements. The Payne Volunteer Fire Department was awarded $70,585.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program is an integral component in the Department of Homeland Security’s effort to strengthen the nation’s general level of preparedness and capacity to respond to fire and related dangers, according to FEMA. AFG awards grants to departments and EMS organizations that are not directly affiliated with a hospital in an effort to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public.