Toledo Fire & Rescue awarded $25K grant

TOLEDO, Ohio — The Toledo Fire & Rescue Department recently received a $23,500 federal grant to strengthen its maritime emergency response capabilities as part of the 2025 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP).

The funding, awarded through the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is part of a competitive nationwide program aimed at enhancing port security, managing maritime risks, and improving readiness for potential terrorist attacks or natural disasters.

“We are truly thankful for this Port Security Grant award,” said Fire Chief Allison Armstrong. “This support ensures we can better safeguard our community, protect our first responders, and continue serving with the highest level of preparedness.”

According to Battalion Chief of Special Operations Michael Posadny, the grant will be used primarily to upgrade equipment for the department’s specialized water rescue team, which includes three divers and a dive master on duty 24/7.

Among the planned purchases are new cold-weather exposure suits designed to keep divers warm during extended missions in freezing temperatures, as well as a grounding wand used during helicopter operations to safely discharge static electricity generated by rotors during hoist rescues with the U.S. Coast Guard.

“We use [the Port Security Grant] to cover areas we identify as concerns. That might mean equipment or training, depending on what we need for that period,” Chief Posadny said. “It’s a competitive grant, so we’re always working to make sure our needs are aligned with what’s available.”

The grant will also support the department’s ongoing investment in training and readiness, including the use of drones to assist with search and rescue. While current department drones lack payload capabilities, Posadny noted they have been successfully used to mark GPS coordinates over individuals in distress, streamlining crew response.

A new drone system with the ability to drop life-saving equipment is currently under review following a recent vendor demonstration.

Toledo’s location along the Maumee River and its active port make it a key stakeholder in national maritime safety efforts. 

The department regularly applies for federal and state grants, including the State Homeland Security Program and the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG). Posadny confirmed the department was also recently awarded a $1.1 million AFG grant, which will support EMS equipment upgrades and new training props.

The Port Security Grant Program is designed to support state, local, and private sector maritime partners in bolstering port-wide risk management and critical infrastructure protection. 

The chief said Toledo Fire’s grant is part of a broader effort to ensure emergency services are equipped to respond quickly and effectively to maritime incidents.