SPANISH FORT, Ala. — U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner, R-AL Friday announced the Spanish Fort Fire and Rescue department would recieve a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.

Fire Chief Roger Few Friday said he received the news in an e-mail that morning.

The grant, totaling $43,785, is being made available through USFA's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and will be used for the purpose of operations and firefighter safety.

“Good things are happening in Spanish Fort and this FEMA grant is one of them,” Few said.

Few said the department had applied every year for the grant since 1999.

“We’ve never secured one before so we are very excited. Again, this is our first opportunity to do anything like this,” he said.

“I am extremely pleased this funding was approved for Spanish Fort Fire and Rescue” Bonner said in a prepared statement. “Our first responders deserve the very best equipment, and I applaud DHS for providing this much-needed grant to improve their capabilities.”

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program provides one-year grants to local fire departments to assist them in improving the effectiveness of their operations. The funding can be used for operations and firefighter safety programs, which include training, equipment, personal protective equipment, wellness and fitness and modifications to fire stations and facilities.

The Spanish Fort Fire department is staffed by volunteers. Few said the grant was written to replace turn out gear the firefighters wear. The turn out gear includes coats, helmets, boots and pants. Each set costs about $2,200 per person, Few said. It will take approximately $72,600 to complete.

“It won’t quite buy all of it but it will go a long way. It will buy about half,” he said. “The grant will buy 20 of the 33 sets that we need. The rest of funding of the remaining turnout gear will come from community donations, ad valorem tax proceeds and our contract arrangement with city of Spanish Fort. We provide fire service to the city and they provide funding.”