The Assistance to Firefighters Grant program recently awarded the Helena Fire department with a grant worth more than $35,000.

Mayor Sonny Penhale said the federal funds would be used to purchase fire equipment to help victims of four-wheeler accidents.

&8220;The fire stations in both Helena

needed these funds to upgrade their equipment, and I congratulate Mayor Penhale,&8221; said Congressman Spencer Bachus.

&8220;The citizens and the volunteer firefighters that serve these communities will be safer thanks to this funding.&8221;

Penhale said this is just another time the Congressman has done good work for the community.

&8220;Every time we call on him he comes through for us,&8221; said Penhale. &8220;I really can&8217;t express how thankful we are for his assistance, because with out him we wouldn&8217;t have a lot of things we have now. &8220;

The primary goal of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security administers the program