Portage FD Receives Federal Grant

The Portage Fire Department will receive $201,192 to obtain critically needed resources to equip and train emergency personnel and enhance their operational efficiencies. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan announced the federal grant award through the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, the AFG program aims to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations.

“The Portage Fire Department is very excited and humbled to receive this Assistance to Firefighter Grant award,” said Kevin DeYoung, Assistant Chief of the Portage Fire Department. “This grant funding will allow us to purchase new portable radios, which will increase our capabilities and set us up for future changes. The new radios will be equipped to better communicate with our neighboring communities in Lake County and will Bluetooth connect to our air packs. This will increase firefighter safety and improve communications on all types of incidents. We would like to thank Congressman Mrvan for his support on this grant.”