Flint Hills Resources announced a pair of grants awarded to local fire and rescue organizations in Guthrie County.

Menlo Fire and Rescue received $1,370 to help with the purchase of a rescue saw, a tool used by firefighters when responding to vehicle crashes, building collapses and agricultural equipment incidents. The Stuart Fire Department received $3,000 to purchase new carcinogen particulate blocking Nomex hoods to protect firefighters.

Stuart Fire Chief Josh Renslow says he appreciates their partnership with Flint Hills Resources to keep the community and his department safe.

“They’ve done a lot of studies on these hoods to where they’re supposed to be effective. A lot of the 9/11 firefighters and public workers are starting to get cancer. That’s really what the fire service is trying to avoid. They’re trying to be proactive. Whatever we can do to help people, especially our volunteers. The volunteers don’t have to do this. They do it because they want to, and if they end up getting cancer because of it and didn’t have proper gear, that weighs heavy.”

Renslow added that the department was able to purchase over 25 of the Nomex hood face shields with the grant money, and that they can last up to 10 years.