Five Noble County fire departments will be receiving nearly $1 million in air packs for less than $90,000 in local spending thanks to a grant announced late last week and Kendallville Fire Chief Jeremy McKinley.
The Department of Homeland Security announced that the five departments had received a 2023 Assistance to Firefighters Grant in the amount of $878,000. The 10% match requirement calls for participating departments to come up with $87,000.
“We’re saving taxpayers money,” McKinley said.
The money will pay for a total of 95 air packs and 33 face masks firefighters used when going into a fire.
The Albion Fire Department will receive 29 packs, with Churubusco receiving 23 packs, followed by Kendallville (16), LaOtto (14) and Avilla (13).