The Peachtree City Fire Department

has been awarded two homeland security grants totalling over $162,000.

One of the grants will provide

equipment for the Technical Rescue trailer, including a second set of

hydraulic extrication tools, detection instruments for weapons of mass

destruction, communications equipment, and equipment for high angle, low

angle and confined space rescue.

The second grant will equip

the Emergency Medical Service Disaster/Mass Casualty Response trailer.

The equipment will include two automatic external defibrillators, respiratory

support systems, portable ventilators and trauma supplies.

Fire Chief Stony Lohr said

the grant will improve the department's local response capability

and help it assist other jurisdictions when necessary.

"The grants will help

purchase equipment to provide critically needed support for mass casualty

incidents that could result from motor vehicle accidents, mass transit

accidents, industrial or transportation accidents or from an intentional

weapons of mass destruction incident," Lohr said.

No matching funds are required

for the grants, but the city will be responsible for maintaining the items

received and will be reimbursed after the materials are acquired.

City Manager Bernie McMullen

lauded the department for pursuing the grant, noting that the city is

trying to seek more grants to reduce the burden on those who pay property

tax.