Bethel gets $76,000 truck grant BETHEL TOWNSHIP - Bethel Township Fire Department will receive a grant from the federal government.
U.S. Representative Dave Hobson (R-Springfield) announced Dec. 6 that the Bethel Township Fire Department in Medway will be receiving a $76,000 federal grant for the purchase of a brush truck which is designed to help fight rural brush fires. The township will have to come up with $4,000.
"I'm very grateful," said Bethel Township Fire Chief Dave Stitzel.
A brush truck is a lighter and more versatile vehicle capable of navigating in fields and rougher terrain than a standard fire truck. The funding was made available through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program.
Stitzel explained that this will be a great addition to the force as Enon and Bethel, Miami County are the only other close departments with brush trucks. They hope to get the new truck within the next six months.
"This federal funding will provide our local firefighters with a versatile fire truck that will help them to respond to emergency situations in their coverage area. I'm pleased that the Bethel Township Fire Department was able to take advantage of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, and I encourage other communities to do the same," Hobson said.
Bethel Township has also applied for a $147,000 federal grant to bring its radios up-to-date to the 800 megahertz frequency. Stitzel said he was contacted to see if they would take an $85,000 grant. He said he hopes they get it as that would allow them to communicate with other counties that already have that frequency.
