The donation of pants, jackets, boots, stretchers and hoses for about 35 people is part of an initiative started by the Taber Lion’s Club.  

The goal is to help volunteers establish a community-based fire department just outside a small village called San Juan de la Costa, Chile — a South American spot that, incidentally, has about the same 10,000-person population as High River.

The state's congressional delegation announced the new fire grants for the Little Compton, North Kingstown, Warwick and Woonsocket Fire Departments.  

They are receiving a total of $1.1 million. The Warwick Fire Department will receive the most, about $635,000, to buy a new heavy-duty rescue vehicle to replace a 26-year-old medium-duty model.

The money was awarded through a Federal Emergency Management Agency program.

The delegation says the grants will help fire departments effectively respond to emergencies and keep communities safe.