Staff report

The Ohio State Fire Marshal, a division of the Ohio Department of Commerce, has announced several local fire departments have received various grants for training and equipment.

The Equipment Grant program is providing $2 million to 148 fire departments across 72 counties. These funds will be used to purchase critical equipment such as protective turnout gear, rescue tools and other life-saving items that support firefighter safety and emergency response capabilities.

The Green Township Volunteer Fire Department in Mahoning County received a $15,000 equipment grant, while the Struthers Fire Department received $4,096.

In Trumbull County, the following departments received equipment grants: Bloomfield Volunteer Department, $15,000; Kinsman Volunteer Fire Department, $14,732.74; Farmington Volunteer Fire Department, $14,980; Southington Volunteer Fire Department, $14,249.92; McDonald Fire Department, $13,190; Brookfield Township Fire Department, $15,000; and Cortland Fire Department, $14,650.

The state also awarded training grants to the following Mahoning County fire departments: Beloit, $700; Damascus, $1,500; Green Township, $3,995; and Springfield Township, $1,990.

Trumbull County departments receiving training grants include Howland Township, $450; Kinsman, $685; and Mecca Volunteer Fire Department, $3,155.

“Ohio fire departments, large and small, career and volunteer, show unwavering dedication to the communities they serve,” said State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon. “These grants allow us to support that dedication by ensuring our firefighters have the tools, equipment, and training they need to perform their jobs safely and effectively.”

In addition to the equipment and training grants, the office has awarded funding through the MARCS grant to the Campbell Fire Department ($6,634.42) and Ellsworth Fire Department ($40,720.45) in Mahoning County and Bloomfield Volunteer Fire Department ($6,570), Kinsman Volunteer Fire Department ($1,739) and Orangeville Volunteer Fire Department ($11,255) in Trumbull County.

“These grants reflect our ongoing mission to strengthen fire protection in every corner of the state,” Reardon said. “We are proud to partner with Ohio’s fire service to ensure they have the resources they need to keep their communities safe.”