BUCYRUS — State Fire Marshal Jeff Hussey visited Bucyrus on Wednesday to present a grant to all fire departments in the county.
This grant will allow fire departments to upgrade their communication systems. The Multi-Agency Radio Communication System will allow interoperability between all the departments and state agencies.
Hussey addressed the large crowd gathered at the Crawford County Courthouse and commended them on the cooperative work to receive the grant.
“This is a big deal,” Hussey said. “Crawford County is only one of six counties in the entire state to receive this grant. It speaks to the cooperation of the departments, the sheriff, commissioners and other officials to bring this application together.”
Crawford County received $619,478.58 to purchase the upgraded systems.
According to Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief Rick Harley, each department had to submit its needs and pricing as part of the application process. Harley said the grant application process began last May.
Harley told the crowd that each department should begin to receive its funds to purchase the much-needed equipment within the next 10 days.