A popular tourist destination in Arizona is getting federal funds to boost its emergency response.
Lake Havasu City will get nearly $4.5 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA. About $300,000 will go toward training and equipment, including a system to reduce firefighters exposure to exhaust by capturing and extracting diesel fumes when trucks are started in fire stations.
Lake Havasu City will hire 11 firefighters using a $4 million grant to cover salaries and benefits for three years. Applications will be accepted starting in October. Lake Havasu says the extra staff will mean better service and faster response times.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of visitors enjoy Lake Havasu’s beaches, parks and water sports. The city is located about 200 miles northwest of Phoenix.
