White County Fire Department will receive $36,000 in federal funds to purchase new fire hose, Fire Chief Dickie Howard announced Monday. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under the Assistance to Firefighters Grants.

"I am very pleased that the White County Fire Department will be awarded these vital funds to purchase fire hose," Howard said. "This grant is an important step towards ensuring that our firefighters have the proper equipment they need to protect our community."

The department plans to use this grant to purchase 210 sections of 3-inch fire hose, thus replacing all of its existing hose that in some cases may be from 18 to 20 years old.

"The department applied to replace one of the fire apparatus through the same grant service but was denied," Howard said. "At least we’re batting .500 with our applications. The replacement of this aged fire hose will ease concerns with possible hose failure during fire operations."