FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) - Franklin County Fire & EMS will receive some federal funding from the Pipeline Emergency Response Grant.

We spoke with the chief about how this money will benefit the county in the long run.

“We have Mountain Valley Pipeline that just came through, and since the ’60s, we’ve actually had a Morton Kinder pipeline with petroleum. And so, knowing that we now have a very real opportunity for response to pipeline emergencies, we wanted to take advantage,” said Chief Michael Fowler.

Fowler said this is the department’s first time applying for the grant and is thankful to be receiving $47,000.

The funding will support the purchase of gas detectors and related equipment, as well as the training of career and volunteer responders.

“Our critical focus was on tryin

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