U.S. Sen. Don Nickles (R-Ponca City) announced the award Thursday.
Craig Calhoun, the fire district board co-chairman, said Brent volunteer firefighters need the money badly. "All our gear is outdated. We applied for new fire suits and air packs mainly. We were down to nearly nothing," Calhoun said.
Calhoun said the Brent Rural Fire Department provides fire protection to residents and small businesses in an area from south of the Sallisaw city limits into LeFlore County to Tucker and Cowlington Road. The department is also responsible for fire protection to several federal facilities.
"We cover the (Robert S. Kerr) lock and dam, the power station, the Coast Guard station, the Corps of Engineers office building - we cover many big government facilities," Calhoun said.
He added, "We also assist the Sallisaw Fire Department, and they assist us."
Nickles said the federal funding can be used to make improvements to all aspects of fire operations and firefighter safety including training, wellness and fitness, firefighter equipment, and personal protective equipment.
Those receiving grants are required to report to the Federal Emergency Management Agency on how the money is used during the year.
