SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The South Hutchinson Fire Department has been awarded approximately $19,000 in grant funding to purchase six radios to replace outdated units that will no longer be supported by their manufacturer. The total value of the Motorola radios is $22,860.72. With the grant, the city’s share is approximately $4,500.
“We are extremely thankful for these grants which will ensure our firefighters can effectively communicate with each other and dispatch during critical life saving moments,” Chief Shae Barajas-Brooks said, who was responsible for writing and submitting the grant applications.
The grant funding comes from two sources with different city matching requirements. The Kansas Forestry Service awarded a 50/50 grant of up to $9,000 for the purchase of two radios and other accessories in May. The second grant was through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program through FEMA which contributed $15,240.74 towards the purchase of four radios.
These radios are essential, but costly for every fire department. Over the last few years, the department has been methodically replacing the radios through various methods so that it does not get hit all at once with a significant expense.
These grants are extremely important when it comes to augmenting the annual budget of a department that relies significantly on volunteers.
“Barajas-Brooks is constantly seeking out ways to leverage our limited funds and she is doing a tremendous job when it comes to securing grant funding for our department,” City Administrator Joseph Turner said.
The new radios are expected to be fully purchased and integrated into the department within the next couple of months.
CLICK HERE to download the HutchPost mobile app.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the daily HutchPost email news update.