The Piedmont Fire Department has recently received some good news in the form of an $85,000 federal grant.

Fire Chief Mike Ledbetter says the money will go toward the purchase of new equipment which will include eight new breathing devices costing $5,500 each; eleven fire suits at a cost of about $2,000 each; a heat-detecting device for approximately $2,500 and a tank costing $2,000 which will be used to provide air to firefighters who have been incapacitated while fighting a fire.

According to the Anniston Star the grant will free up some $40,000 from the city which had been earmarked for the breathing devices, meaning those funds can instead go toward the purchase of additional protective suits.

Chief Ledbetter also informed the city council that the departments insurance rating has recently improved by a full point which means property owners will likely see their insurance rates drop beginning in August.

(Anniston Star/www.annistonstar.com)