Jerusalem Township: U.S. grant to buy gear to protect firefighters

12/6/2006

The Jerusalem Township Fire Department will soon have more personal protective equipment for its firefighters.

The village has just received a federal grant through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Township officials said they were recently awarded the $95,332 grant through the department's assistance to firefighters grant program, and they plan to buy air packs with the funding.

A fourth full-time officer will soon join the Elmore police force. Village council unanimously voted last week to add the police officer to what has been a three-member, full-time police force the last five years, Councilman Rick Claar said.

Though the move will most likely cost more in the beginning, it'll save the village money in the long run because authorities won't have to spend to train new, part-time hires as often, for example, Mr. Claar said.