3 rural fire districts getting federal funds

Three rural Utah fire departments are getting $140,000 in U.S. Fire Administration grants to help them buy safety equipment and generally improve their operations.

Funding will go to the Manila Fire Department, South Summit Fire Protection District and Wellsville Fire and Rescue.

Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, hailed the grant awards.

"Many rural fire departments rely on volunteer firefighters and limited budgets to keep our communities safe," Bennett said. "These grants will go a long way to improve firefighter safety by providing them with the best possible equipment."

The Manila department will be able to buy new protective clothing and breathing equipment for its 16 volunteer firefighters. The South Summit Fire Protection District will buy protective clothing, radios and microphones for oxygen masks to let firefighters communicate during emergencies. Wellsville Fire and Rescue will improve safety and firefighting operations at its station.