BENNINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – New funding is on its way to southern Vermont to help search and rescue first responders cover the cost of saving lives.
Vermont Treasury Secretary Mike Pieciak Thursday announced $160,000 of federal funds are available to reimburse Bennington County first responders for search and rescue operations in the Green Mountain National Forest. The funds can be put towards repairing damaged equipment, training expenses, and the purchase of vehicles and supplies that were used during a rescue.
Pieciak says it allows first responders to focus on the job and not its costs. “They are obviously putting life and safety at the top, and they’re doing what they need to do to protect people, save people. But when they do that, oftentimes there are expenses that are incurred, and this is a way for the federal government to reimburse so local municipalities, local taxpayers aren’t necessarily picking up that bill,” Pieciak said.
He says they hope the funds will be used up by the end of the year.