The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) recently awarded $1.3 million in funds to 89 fire departments in Kansas through the Kansas Firefighter Recruitment and Safety Grant Program.

The grant was made possible through its budget passed by the State Legislature and signed by Governor Kelly.

An additional $1.2 million was made available to the State Fire Marshal’s Office for this grant by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), with an $100,000 provided through the office’s budget.

This year, over $2.4 million was requested by 97 volunteer/part-time fire departments in Kansas for safety gear, washer/extractor machines and junior firefighter programs. Departments received close to $1.2 million to be used for safety gear, $106,000 for 20 washer/extractor machines, and $1,200 for the junior firefighter programs. Due to the high number of requests, OSFM will be requesting the 2023 Legislature to continue funding the grant.

A list of the departments receiving a 2023 grant award and more information on the Kansas Firefighter Recruitment and Safety Grant Program can be found here.

Evidence, including DNA and items collected from crime scenes, dating back up to 30 years may have been destroyed in a 3-alarm fire that overtook a New York City Police Department storage facility in Brooklyn. Eight people suffered minor injuries, fire officials said. The blaze erupted around 10:30 a.
- PUB DATE: 12/14/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WCBS-TV CBS 2 New York

Firefighters face risks every time they respond to a call, including possible long-term dangers to their health. But the current leading cause of death among firefighters may come as a surprise. According to the International Association of Firefighters, heart disease was the former leading cause of death among firefighters.
- PUB DATE: 12/14/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KFVS-TV CBS 12 Cape Girardeau

PHOTOS: In lieu of a sleigh and reindeer, Santa and Mrs. Claus — Boston Fire Department lieutenants by day — rode a firetruck to Shriners Children’s Boston hospital to deliver holiday cheer Tuesday. About 30 children peered out the hospital windows as the Clauses inched closer in the bucket of a fire ladder.
- PUB DATE: 12/14/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Boston Globe - Metered Site

Subaru’s latest recall affects nearly every one of its family-hauling Ascent SUV. The issue stems from the electrical system and could lead to a fire. Included in the population are model-year 2019-22 Ascents. The ground bolt that secures the ground terminal of the positive temperature coefficient heater in the wiring under the dashboard may have been improperly fastened, which could result in melting of the ground terminal and surrounding components, increasing the risk of a fire.
- PUB DATE: 12/14/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Cars.com