ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — The Orange Beach Fire and Rescue Department has received good news in the way of a $1 million grant.

U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., announced Friday the department would be receiving a $1 million grant from the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“Firefighters are in the field every day protecting our citizens. We have a responsibility to ensure that our first responders are adequately prepared to respond to any event,” Shelby said in a news release. “Orange Beach Fire and Rescue will use this funding to improve and sustain its operations and safety programs.”

The funding is provided through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program which will distribute $500 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations this year.

“First response is always led by local government but, as we’ve seen many times, communication’s can be challenging,” Phil May, FEMA regional administrator, said in a press release. “One way to fix that is to put more resources in local hands before an emergency happens and the fire grant programs do that very well.”

The program awards three categories of grants: Fire Grants, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants and Fire Prevention and Safety grants.

Orange Beach Fire and Rescue received a Fire Grant. The grant will help fund firefighting emergency response needs and is aimed toward advancing the ability of public safety.

Orange Beach Fire Chief Forney Howard said the grant was written by Capt. Justin Pearce ad Chief Wade Stevens and would be used to improve the departments communication system. The department will purchase a top-of-the-line radio system called Project 25. It was developed after problems arose while firefighters worked to rescue people during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The new system, rated the best on the market, will allow firefighters to communicate in condominiums — which is a problem now with the current system.

Howard said the police department will also be able to utilize the system by purchasing additional walkie-talkies.

He said the grant was awarded based on the validity and need, as well as the cost benefit and the affect of daily operations.

Howard also said he feels Shelby’s senior position on the Senate Appropriations Committee was a big help.

“We always thank our senator and representatives for what they do,” Howard said.

Since 2001 The Assistance to Firefighters program has helped departments obtain needed equipment, training, emergency vehicles and protective gear.