By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
Applications are being accepted for a grant program through Missouri American Water that assists fire departments.
Spokeswoman Christie Barnhart says the program is a good way to help fill in the gap for funding of things that are needed and programs that assist fire departments in their mission
"This grant program is available for fire departements to purchase equipment, get training, provide community programs that emphasise fire prevention, a lot of times fire departments use them to purchase smoke detectors to distribute at community events," Barnhart tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.
Grants up to $1,200 will be considered. Since its inception in 2016 over 200 grants have been awarded to fire departments in the Missouri American Water service territory.
Barnhart says there are some common applications they see from fire departments in the service territory.
"The two most common requests that we see are for smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and then for equipment thats needed for them to continue to be able to fight fires and protect the community," Barnhart explains.
Barnhart says since she began helping with the program grants have helped locally in St. Joseph for fire departments to purchase equipment.
"Often times I think new hoses is one of the items they've purchased in the past, we also have Buchanan County has received some funding for things in the past, it's just been over a wide variety of different things that they've used the funds for," Barnhart says. "Typically those two have been recepients for the past several years."
Grants can also be applied for to help with training activities and materials The 2023 application period is open until the end of August.