ST. LANDRY PARISH, La. (KLFY) -- The largest 100% volunteer fire department in St. Landry Parish has been awarded a six-figure grant from FEMA, authorities said.

Coulee Croche Fire Protection District 4 has announced it will receive an Assistance to Firefighters Grant of $198,000, and will use the money to upgrade safety equipment, according to a news release from the department by Deputy Chief Jason Menard.

"These funds will assist in replacing the entire fleet of aging and outdated Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) currently in operation," Menard said. "This grant funding will allow CCFD4 to have SCBAs that meet all current standards, while providing firefighters with the latest technology, improving firefighter safety, and assisting firefighters in providing a better service to the communities they serve."

The department said it provides fire protection and services to an area of approximately 40 square miles in south St. Landry Parish and Acadia Parish.

"Being awarded an Assistance to Firefighters Grant is a huge achievement as FEMA only projected to issue out 2,000 AFG awards this year," Menard said.

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