Grant award means new radios for Vancouver Fire Department | Community Spirit

VANCOUVER, Wash. -- Always on the lookout for any available funds, the Vancouver Fire Department, in late 2011, applied for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), a FEMA program, to purchase handheld portable radios. On Feb. 3, fire department officials learned they were awarded $349,928 to buy the radios.

The funds will be used to replace the current radios that have been in service for nearly 20 years. The current radios will no longer be serviceable in the near future and the department would be required to replace them.

Portable radios are a critical component of the fire department’s communication and safety system. The radios enable fire personnel to communicate with dispatchers, incident commanders and other emergency response agencies, as well as with each other. The new equipment will enhance the safety of the public and the firefighters.

Vancouver Fire Department is fortunate to have qualified for the federal funding to replace the radios now. The funds will provide desperately needed equipment that directly supports delivery of emergency response to the citizens of Vancouver.