The Fire Division applied for a grant to replace their 21 year old aerial ladder truck. This vehicle was removed from service due to a broken frame and rusted out waterway. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant is intended to help fire departments and is administered by the Department of Homeland Security. The total grant request was for $776,000 with an 80/20 cost sharing split between the Federal Government and the City of Middletown.

The grant process is highly competitive with about 25% of requests being granted. Letters of support were pledged from Senators Brown and Voinovich and Representative Boehner.
Unfortunately, the Middletown Division of Fire was notified that the grant request was denied. At this time the reason for denial is not known. We will continue to work diligently to find alternative funding sources.