The Geary County Rural Fire Department will be going after federal grant funds in this new year.

Garry Berges, Rural Fire Chief, said the next round of FEMA Assistance to Firefighter grant, is coming open early this year. He noted they’re looking at two different grant possibilities. :Our air packs, most of them are two NFPA cycles behind which means they do different changes on em. They’re also about 15 years old. Anything above 12 years, technically under NFPA rules are outdated.”

Berges stated the County is looking at possibly going with the City of Junction City and putting in a regional grant request to try and get identical air packs. Those cost about $8,000 apiece. He stated the Rural Fire Department needs about 35 of them. If the grant is obtained there would be a five percent local match.

The Rural Fire Chief stated the Department also wants to apply for a grant to replace the turnout gear for volunteer firefighters. That grant is about 15 to 18 years old.