Donna Owens, director of the Ohio Department of Commerce, will present a grant to the Troy Township Fire Department on Wednesday, August 19 at 3:30 p.m. at the department's fire station at 311 Krotzger, Luckey. The grant is funded through the State Fire Marshal's Volunteer Fire Department Grant Program and the State and Local Government Training and Equipment Grant Program.

Wednesday's event is being held in conjunction with Governor George V. Voinovich's regional cabinet day in northwest Ohio.

Director Owens will present a $2,400 check to Troy Township Fire Chief Clarence Haas for the purchase of dry hydrants, which can draft water from ponds.

The grant program assists fire departments in purchasing equipment and supplies that they may otherwise not be able to afford. The grants are awarded using a grading schedule that attempts to first fund departments with the fewest resources to meet their fire protection needs and responsibilities. The criteria include: population and size of the fire district, fire department's total budget, number of fire runs, and proposed use of the grant.

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The Division of State Fire Marshal is part of the Ohio Department of Commerce. The Fire Marshal's Office trains firefighters, enforces the Ohio Fire Code, investigates the cause and origins of fires and explosions, provides fire prevention programs, and performs other services. Other Commerce divisions enforce regulations regarding industrial compliance, financial institutions, liquor, real estate, securities, auctioneers, unclaimed funds and private investigators, among others. The department's Internet address is www.com.state.oh.us.