Nov. 21 -- The Bemidji Fire Department was recently awarded a $4,833 Community Grant from the Foundation for Rural Service.

The grant will enable the Bemidji Fire Department to acquire protective gear for Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) medics to ensure safety while providing critical medical assistance in high-risk situations, a release said.

The FRS is a subsidiary of the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association, of which Paul Bunyan Communications is a member. As part of its ongoing commitment to rural communities across the country, FRS offers aid to communities served by NTCA members through its annual Community Grant program.

These grants are designed to provide support to a variety of local efforts to build and sustain a high quality of life in rural America, the release said.

"We started a tactical medic program last summer after identifying the need through a risk profile. Since then, our firefighters have attended training and obtained tactic medic certification," Bemidji Fire Department Chief Justin Sherwood said in the release. "This grant funding will allow us to get three sets of SWAT gear and implement the program. We greatly appreciate the support of the FRS and Paul Bunyan Communications to make that happen."

The Bemidji Fire Department serves an area of 522 square miles, including three cities and 15 townships. According to the release, in 2023, they responded to 1,278 calls.

"The Bemidji Fire Department does so much for our region and we are happy to support their efforts through this FRS Grant," Chad Bullock, Paul Bunyan Communications assistant CEO and general manager, said in the release.