Garland Rural Fire Department gets grant

GARLAND, Kan. -- The Garland Rural Fire Department District No. 2 is proud and happy to announce that they have been awarded a grant in the amount of $219,450 for the purchase of a new vehicle.

United States Senators Sam Brownback, R-Kan., and Pat Roberts, R-Kan., informed the department last week of the funds they would be receiving as part of a $1.24 million effort through the 2009 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in the form of 21 grants to Kansas firefighters to improve homeland security.

"Our fire department plans to purchase a pumper-tanker truck and replace our old tanker that was originally a gasoline truck and converted to use as a fire truck," Garland Rural Fire Department District No. 2 member Ruth Waring said.

The grant is a 95 percent matching grant in which the department will be responsible for funding the remaining five percent of the total cost.

To help raise the money the department will be hosting its annual fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 24.