The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety will be getting some new equipment and assistance with training thanks to federal grants.

The city Public Safety and Public Works Committee was told this week the first grant, for $109,000, will cover the purchase of 22 sets of personal protective equipment for firefighters. Clerk Tiffany Moore said the grant will save the department a great deal of money.

“This is a grant that they’ve tried to get for the last five years, and they finally got it,” Moore said. “They did put $140,000 in the budget for that because they were going to have to purchase it regardless.”

After the grant, the city will pay about $19,000 for the turnout gear.

Moore said the second grant, of $124,000, will enable the department to work with Blue Card Command to offer training for local fire departments.

“This is to provide regional fire department training. There are approximately 17 departments that will participate in this, and Blue Card is the company that will provide all of the instructor courses and licenses for that.”

After the grant is applied, the remaining $12,000 cost for the program will be split between the 17 departments slated to take part in the training.

Committee Chair Ron Singleton said he’s seen the fire department grow from barely struggling by to being a regional force in the last ten years. He said he’s been impressed.