Firefighting equipment is expensive and can eat up most of a small department’s budget, fire chiefs throughout the county report. As a result, departments look for federal grants, like ones available through FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, to help offset costs. “These grants help us purchase needed equipment without taking away funding for operations,” Salem Lakes Fire Chief Mike Slover said. Bristol Fire Chief John Niederer said applying for grants is not just an annual process; it is a competitive one. “It almost means everything to us,” Niederer said. “Everything is a big ticket item for us. The grants help us ensure the safety of the firefighters and the community.”