Department of Homeland Security Gives $340,243 to Seven Northern Michigan Fire Departments

Northern Michigan fire departments are getting some more help from Washington D.C.

Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters announced the Mason County Rural Fire Authority will get $247,100 from the Department of Homeland Security.

The money will go towards six washing machines and dryers to help remove toxic chemicals from gear.

It will also go towards 67 sets of wildland gear and 24 sets of structural gear.

The Mason County Rural Fire Authority comprises six departments, including Riverton, Custer, Scottville, Branch, Free Soil-Meade, and Grant.

“Some of us don’t even have any wildland gear. Very few do, and there are. It’s 20-plus years old,” said Allen Bufka, Assistant Fire Chief, Grant Fire Department. “We have a lot of our structural fire gear that will be outdated according to the NFPA standards. And it just wearing out from use.”

The Department of Homeland Security is also giving the Denton Township Ambulance Department about $93,143.

It will go towards cardiac equipment.