The Snowville Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $60,530 federal grant to buy new turnout gear for its members and extrication equipment.

The $60,530 comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, according to a news release from U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon.

The department plans to use the money to buy 10 sets of turnout gear, which consists of pants, shirts, coats, coveralls, helmets, goggles, boots and gloves, according to the release.

The extrication equipment will be battery-powered and replace older, gasoline-powered tools. The battery-powered tools are safer when working at crash scenes, the news release said.

-- The Roanoke Times