SMYRNA – The Smyrna Fire Department has secured federal grant funding which will help offset costs of new equipment for the department’s base of volunteer firefighters.

The department’s slated to receive nearly $70,000 in funding through the Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) grant program, administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

According to Smyrna Fired Chief Norman Wynn, the grant will go a long way in providing his department with turnout gear and other safety equipment approved by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

“All the gear we have now is approximately 20 years old, not NFPA approved by the latest standards,” said Wynn. “We’ll be able to upgrade and most of our active members will get new gear.”