Cedar Rapids Fire Departments gets grant for urban wild land firefighting gear

The Cedar Rapids Firefighters Foundation received a $1,000 grant Thursday from Theisen's to purchase urban wild land firefighting equipment for the local fire department.

According to a news release, the Cedar Rapids Firefighters Foundation was one of 105 agencies to receive a portion of the $160,540 through Theisen's "More For Your Community" grant program. The check was presented by Bill Horrigan, Manager of the Theisen's store in southwest Cedar Rapids, to firefighter Sean Beard, President of the Cedar Rapids Firefighters Foundation.

Through November 30, there have been 72 grass, brush or natural vegetation fires for the year, the release said. There was a total of 31 of these types of fires in all of 2010, and there were 46 in 2011.