MARION — The Marion Fire Department received an “Assistance to Fire Fighters” federal grant for $190,476.19 that will be used to purchase 25 self-contained breathing apparatus for the department. 

According to Marion Town Administrator Geoff Gorman, this will provide a full breathing kit and two bottles of air for the entire department.

Also, earlier this year, the Marion Fire Department also received a $285,695.23 “Assistance to Fire Fighters” grant to purchase a new brush truck. 

“I [want] to recognize the fire department for recently receiving two extremely large grants that will greatly improve the capacity and abilities of our fire department,” said Gorman at a Aug. 15 meeting of the Marion Select Board. 

Assistance to Firefighters grants are allocated to fire departments nationally to fund and aid the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations.

The federal grants help firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

Marion Fire Chief Brian Jackvony “really does an amazing job of proactively going after these grants,” said Gorman.