It's always nice when pork-barrel politics helps out your friends. And who is more deserving than SoHum's backwoods volunteer firemen?

WASHINGTON – Today, North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-01) announced that the Beginnings Volunteer Fire Department in Redway will receive a federal grant of more than $97K.

The grant will be used to replace degraded fire hoses and purchase new personal protective gear.

"Our local fire departments are often the first line of defense for a wide range of public health and safety threats," said Congressman Thompson. "This grant will provide Beginnings Volunteer Fire Department with the equipment they need to be prepared for all types of emergencies. Their efforts to keep residents safe deserve our constant appreciation."

"We are a rural fire department protecting homes and the land around them, as well as wild lands," said Fire Chief Tim Olsen. "This grant will bring us current with replacing hose sets that are extremely degraded. The new hoses don't rot, they take a lot of pressure and will last for a very long time. My greatest concern is protecting the protectors. This grant helps us to do that by replacing personal protective gear."

This very competitive grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration. Additionally, the award is made under the Fiscal Year 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program.