Today, Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC-10) announced $104,880 in a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant to a local fire department in the Tenth Congressional District.

The grant will go to the Spruce Pine Fire and Rescue Squad in Mitchell County, and comes in the third round of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG), which aims to help firefighters and first responders throughout the country. Local departments applied for the grants, and the program is administered by the Department’s Preparedness Directorate’s Office of Grants and Training.

“Helping our emergency services is one of my top priorities, and I am pleased that Spruce Pine Fire and Rescue has received these funds in the third round of Assistance to Firefighter Grants,” said Congressman McHenry. “This grant will help the department update their equipment, improve operations and acquire the tools necessary to respond in emergency situations.”

Thus far, seven fire departments in the Tenth District have received AFG grants for a total of $535,660. This year’s awards will continue to be announced in rounds through the end of December.