The Summer Hill Volunteer Fire Department will use a $1,700 grant from the Alabama Forestry Commission to buy some much-needed supplies, according to county forestry officials.

Fire Chief Jeff Jones said the department will purchase various tools and safety gear, such as goggles. The funding is provided through the forestry commission&8217;s Wildland Fire Prevention and Suppression grant program.

&8220;It&8217;s just really basic stuff&045; tools and safety items, but they are still things that are needed,&8221; said Jones.

County Forestry Manager Brad Lang said the grant program has two goals: to reduce the number of damaging wildfires and highlight the importance of volunteer fire departments.

Lang presented Summer Hill firefighters with a check last Wednesday and praised Jones for taking initiative in seeking state dollars.

He also pointed out the fire danger in Shelby County, which is ranked 16th out of Alabama&8217;s 67 counties in the number of fires per year.

Summer Hill Volunteer Fire Department is located between Calera and Columbiana, on Alabama Highway 25. Founded in 1995, the 16-member department serves the two cities it is situated between, as well as Joinertown and Saginaw