MINOT, ND (KXNET) — The Minot Rural Fire Department recently got a life-saving upgrade that they hope will help make their jobs a bit easier. The Minot Rural Fire Department (MRFD) was awarded $15,000 last Thursday in a grant from Ag County Farm Credit Services. The department will use the grant to purchase new radios that are up to current standards. MRFD Lieutenant Stephen Flanagan says the grant is a big help with covering the cost of replacing their existing radios, as new equipment has continued to only get more expensive. "For the fire department, we need about 74 radios to replace our current capabilities and we have to get them because there are changes with both the technology and state frequency changes, so what we are currently using is becoming obsolete," said Lt. Flanagan. Minot’s new downtown transit center opens Sept. 23 According to the department, the Minot Rural Fire Department has received other grants from Ag County Farm Credit Services for equipment such as wildland firefighting gear and turnout gear in the past. For Flanagan, having the department get money from an organization that cares about first responders is a great feeling. "It is nice to know that there are people out there who are looking out for us as we give back to the community, as most people don't realize as we are talking about radios we need them to communicate with ourselves and other entities," said Lt. Flanagan. To date, Ag County Farm Credit Services has given 19 grants totaling over $400,000 to worthy programs that will improve lives in local communities through the Rural Community Grant Fund. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW