Gravel Ridge Fire Department awarded FEMA grant

GRAVEL RIDGE, Ark. (AP) - The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded more than $208,000 to the Gravel Ridge Fire Department.

FEMA announced Tuesday that the department will be awarded a $208,350 grant to improve efforts to hire firefighters.

The grant is part of the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response - or SAFER - Grants program. SAFER awards provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter organizations to help them increase the number of trained, front line firefighters available in their communities.