The St. John and Lowell volunteer fire departments are each getting about half a million in federal funding. The St. John Fire Department has been awarded almost $491,000, and the Lowell Volunteer Fire Department was awarded almost $511,000 from the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.

That money will be used to make safety upgrades, purchase equipment and train emergency personnel, according to U.S. Representative Frank Mrvan's office. Specifically, Lowell firefighters plan to buy new self-contained breathing apparatus air packs, along with a fill station and accountability system.