Ohio City to Receive $48K in Federal Funds

July 31--MONROE -- The city of Monroe will receive more than $48,000 in federal money, and the fire chief said it will be for equipment for two ambulances.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, announced Wednesday the Monroe Fire Department will receive the money from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance to Firefighters Grants program.

"Firefighters and first responders keep our communities safe in times of crisis," Brown said. "These new federal resources will help ensure that Monroe's skilled responders have the updated resources they need to safely do their jobs."

According to the program, the grant funds help firefighters and other first responders improve their ability to protect the public and themselves. Projects funded in the Operations and Safety category include training, facility upgrades and modifications, and supplies such as protective equipment.

Monroe Fire Chief John Centers said they will use the lift devices for the back of two ambulances that would automatically load a patient "with less lifting and subsequently less injury to our staff."

"We try to do whatever we can to make the duty as easy as possible," he said.

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