AMARILLO, TEXAS -- UPDATE 2:41pm: Pronews 7 speaks to Amarillo Fire Department on what they're using a government grant to buy.
Good news for Amarillo's Fire Department. U.S. Senator John Cornyn announced the department will receive a $64,256 dollar grant to help support firefighters and their work as first responders. The funding can be used for training and support operations, and to purchase firefighter safety and rescue equipment. The grant is to help enhance their efforts in protecting the health and safety of the public, as well as that of the firefighters. The grant comes from the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.
In a statement released, U.S. Senator John Cornyn said, "This funding will help make sure first responders at the Amarillo Fire Department will have the resources necessary to keep the surrounding community safe."
Sen. Cornyn adds, "We have a responsibility to support those working on the front lines every day to protect families, homes and property."
Pronews 7 spoke to Amarillo's Fire Department who says they're using the money from the grant to buy extractors, or giant washing machines. The machines will go to 9 fire stations, where firefighters can wash their gear that's covered in hazardous toxins.
"There's toxins in smoke, everything in smoke is poisonous that's why we tell everybody to get out of the house quickly because you don't want to be around smoke it's poisonous. Well, that smoke settles on our gear and all the toxins are there," said Captain Wes Hall, Amarillo Fire Department.
