The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded an Operations and Safety grant to the Maplesville Volunteer Fire Department.

The grant, which totals $55,757, was awarded under the Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) program. The AFG program issues funds to help meet the needs of fire departments and other nonaffiliated medical service organizations.

“Firefighters are on the front lines every day, protecting lives and saving property,” said Alabama Congressman Spencer Bachus (R-District 6). “They deserve modern equipment and the best in safety gear. Maplesville Fire and Rescue works hard to ensure that it can quickly and effectively respond to emergency calls.”

The grant will help pay for a portable air compressor that will refill the bottles used in the Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus. Instead of having to get bottles refilled at other places, the MFD will now be able to do that own their own.

“I’m very happy,” said Maplesville Mayor Aubrey Latham. “[This] will help keep [things] in house, and give us a quicker turnaround on getting our tanks refilled.”

Maplesville was one of just four other departments in the state to receive the grant. Others included Russellvile in Franklin County, Childersburg in Talladega County and Pittsview in Russell County.