BENTON — The Benton Fire Department has been chosen by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to receive an Assistance to Firefighters grant worth over $45,000 for upgrades to operations and Safety.

According to Benton Fire Chief Shane Cockrum, this grant will fund the installation of a complete exhaust system to remove cancerous byproducts of diesel engines from our communities’ fire departments, therefore making it safer for firefighters and the citizens who visit alike.

Cancer is a major concern for fire departments nationwide as statistics show that firefighters are two times more likely than the general public to develop many types of cancers. The installation of this state-of-the-art system will help to see that today’s Benton firefighters and future firefighters continue to have long healthy careers while protecting our citizens.

Cockrum thanks the fire department’s staff who worked tirelessly to see this grant process through as well as Public Safety Commissioner Don Storey who continues to strive to see that the best service to citizens can be achieved.