SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV (WSAZ) – Equipment upgrades are on the way to the South Charleston Fire Department with funding provided through grants from CSX Transportation and the Kanawha County Commission.

South Charleston Fire Chief Virgil White said, “We will use that money for different types of firefighting equipment for our fire apparatus as well as our specialized rescue, such as dive rescue and swift water rescue.”

CSX is providing the South Charleston Fire Department with a Pride in Service grant in the amount of $5,000 for hazardous materials detection equipment.

The Kanawha County Commission has given the department more than $30,000 to put towards protective equipment, emergency response teams and scuba gear.

Chief White said these grants make a difference.

“We’re very grateful that they do it because it allows us to get equipment much faster,” he said.

By receiving these grants and being able to purchase new equipment, the South Charleston Fire Department will be able to continue serving the community in the safest way possible.

“By having this new equipment, we are upgrading some of our old, outdated equipment to make it much safer. So when guys respond to a call, they know they have safe personal protective equipment,” White said.

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