La Porte, IN) - La Porte’s Fire Department has received a federal grant for $128,315 to pay for specialized safety equipment.

Last week U.S. Representative Frank Mrvan (D) announced the award, which comes from the Department of Homeland Security.

The money will be used to purchase diesel exhaust removal systems for La Porte’s three fire stations.

According to Fire Chief Andy Snyder, the equipment “will minimize firefighters’ exposure to harmful contaminants and carcinogens known to be associated with diesel exhaust emissions.” He said, “Firefighters are at a much higher risk for several types of cancer just by the nature of the work they perform.  One critical step to minimizing these increased risks is to remove the hazards known to cause them, which this grant award will most certainly do.”