SULLIVAN COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — State Representatives John Crawford and Bud Hulsey, alongside State Senator Bobby Harshbarger, presented checks to two volunteer fire departments and a life-saving crew in Sullivan County on Thursday.

“I’ve never questioned our state’s support of the volunteer fire departments,” Sullivan West VFD Chief Drew Deakins said. “They’ve always been great to support us. They always are able to lend their ear and listen to anything that we had to say and take our advice on the programs that we do. This shows their support that we already recognize that they gave us.”

The following departments received funds:

• Sullivan West Volunteer Fire Department
  • $52,600 for firefighter personal protective (PPE) equipment (coats, pants, helmets, boots) and a specialized washer and dryer for the items
• Kingsport Lifesaving and First Aid Crews
  • $36,450 for swift water rescue gear, body armor and dive rescue equipment
• Bloomingdale Volunteer Fire Department
  • $25,470 for firefighter personal protective (PPE) equipment (coats, pants, helmets, boots)

Deakins said the funds help show new firefighters that not only does the department value their lives, but the state does as well.

The checks were funded by the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office’s Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training Grant Program.