PLYMOUTH – As thousands of volunteer departments across the country are forced to tighten their belts because of stringent budgets and federal funding cuts, the Plymouth Volunteer Fire Department is taking financial challenges in stride, thanks to recent grant funding of over $40,000 for department equipment.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced this week that the Plymouth Volunteer Fire Department will receive a federal grant totaling $40,850 for the purchase of fire equipment, including a hydraulic Hurst rescue tool, more commonly referred to as the “jaws of life.”

Grant funding comes by way of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program which is administered through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Money awarded through the program helps firefighters and other first responders acquire necessary - and often times, critical - equipment and other resources needed to protect the public as well as emergency personnel from fire and other related hazards.

The grant stipulates the Town of Plymouth pitch in 5 percent - approximately $2,042 - to obtain this grant funding.