Funds come through FEMA grant program

CHESAPEAKE — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded $407,500 to the Chesapeake-Union Township Volunteer Fire Department and others in Lawrence County as part of a regional grant request through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants program.

Joey McMaster, the acting fire chief for Chesapeake-Union, said the grant will be used primarily to buy air packs for the department. He said the regional request was made with Fayette, Proctorville, Coal Grove and Upper Township fire departments.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, spoke about the funds in a news release on Thursday.

“Ohio firefighters and first-responders work every day to protect our families,” Brown said. “We must support our first-responder organizations so that communities like Lawrence County have the resources to shield families and homes from fire hazards.”

The AFG Program supports fire departments across the country to ensure the safety of both first-responders and the public. The program provides funds for supplemental training, upgrades to protective equipment, facility modifications, and other supplies that protect firefighters and first-responders in moments of crisis. Grants are awarded to fire department-based and non-affiliated EMS organizations that best address the priorities of the AFG Program.

Brown said interested fire departments can contact his grant coordinator through his website to receive information about federal grant opportunities.

McMaster said the department is waiting to hear back on a second FEMA grant, and recently received a worker’s compensation grant for equipment.

McMaster has been serving as acting chief since the resignation of Frank Meehling II as the head of the department. He said the department has since given him a vote of confidence to become chief, which will then be sent to the Chesapeake Village Council and Union Township Trustees for approval.