Grants Help Volunteer Firefighters

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

CRESCENT, Oklahoma -- Firefighters from across Logan County battled large grassfires throughout the weekend. Thankfully, a federal grant helped the fire stations, like Deer Creek's, update their equipment so they can help keep the public safe.

"It's unbelievable. I mean it's such a good feeling to know you're not going to have to spend the money out of your own budget to get that stuff," Deer Creek Assistant Fire Chief Eric Harlow said.

From new uniforms, boots and other gear to a whole new fire engine to battle the blazes, the new equipment helped with a grass fire that destroyed hundreds of acres north of Crescent Saturday and Sunday.

"It makes the job so much easier. You're not worried about if the equipment is going to make it, is it going to break down on the way there? Is it going to break down during the call, and are we going to spend two or three days trying to get the truck back in service so we can protect our citizens?" Asst. Fire Chief Harlow said.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency gave almost $500,000 from the Assistance to Firefighters Grants program to fire departments and organizations in Oklahoma.

Deer Creak, Oak Cliff and Guthrie Fire are some of the departments that received grants for new fire equipment.