Two local fire departments are the recipients of firefighter assistant grants.

The Jenkins County Volunteer Fire Department received and $188,000 grant, and the Millen Fire Department is the recipient of a $42,500 grant. The grants were made available through the Department of Homeland Security’s Assis- tance to Firefighters Grant Program which requires 5 percent local matching funds.

Fire Chief Dwayne Herrington said that grant funds received by the county fire department were awarded through the Vehicle Acquisition Program. Funds received by the city fire department will be used to install a vehicle exhaust extraction system at the fire station.

The announcement of the grants was made by U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson.

“Local firefighters and emergency workers provide our first defense to natural disasters, accidents and terrorist attacks,” Chambliss said. “It is because these brave men and women are often the first on the scene of any incident that we must continue to ensure they have the tools and training they need to do their jobs safely and efficiently. I look forward to continuing to work with local fire departments and emergency responders across the state to ensure they have the resources they need.”

To qualify for grant funding, applicants must demonstrate financial need and make known the benefits they will get if awarded the grant.