The Tri-Town Fire Co. (Dept 47) of Ulysses announced today that it has been notified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Congressman Glenn Thompson's office that it has been awarded a grant in the amount of $53,913 through the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. The grant was awarded under the program's Operations and Safety section and will be used to purchase new personal protective equipment (PPE) for 25 of the department's active firefighters. This will include turnout coats, bunker pants, helmets, boots, protective hoods and gloves. The grant award will also cover the cost of several equipment racks for storage of the equipment in a ready state.

Chief of the Department Roy Hunt stated that this grant will allow the department to provide the most up-to-date protective gear to its most active members, particularly those that are involved in interior fire attack operations, and will help to provide for a greater degree of safety for firefighters.

The department is also currently awaiting word on a grant application that was submitted through the AFG Vehicle Replacement program for the purchase of a new Four-Wheel-Drive Engine/Rescue unit. If awarded that grant the vehicle purchased would replace a total of three vehicles in the department's fleet.