The Tri-County Volunteer Fire Association has won a $28,520 federal grant, worth $8,000 more than its annual budget.
The grant, obtained from the U.S. Fire Administration within the Department of Homeland Security, will help the fire agency in northeast Pasco buy a new fire hose, generator, protective gear, pump for a tanker and radio equipment, Chief Mike Morgan said.
The grant money helps rural, urban and suburban fire departments with safety, operations and training.
Tri-County, which serves Trilby, Lacoochee and Trilacoochee, operates on an annual budget of $20,000, Morgan said. Its budget comes from donations and $30 annual subscriptions from the 2,100 properties it serves, he said.
"Some of the hoses are 15 years old," he said. "The equipment is old, and we need some station maintenance."
The department also is starting a new fundraising campaign to reach new residents, he said. For more information, call (352) 583-3473.
