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Close to $60,000 in grant funding has allowed the Red House Volunteer Fire Department to better serve its community and help protect its firefighters.

The department was awarded funds through the Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) and FEMA to purchase new air packs.

“We had a training conducted by the equipment vendor and the new packs are now in service.” Fire Chief Chad Reeves said.

Reeves said the new air packs are important for numerous reasons. “It allows us to utilize this equipment to advance into structure fires and hazardous atmospheres to control the fire and search for victims,” he added. “This equipment also brings our respiratory equipment up to NFPA standard.”

Reeves said thanks to the grant funds the department is now able to use its saved funds to purchase other equipment and to provide training opportunities.