By Lori EhdeA $40,000 federal grant came at the perfect time for the Hardwick Fire Department.The 19-member department was due for new turnout gear, breathing apparatus and extra tanks, and Fire Chief Dan Kindt said he was wondering where the money was going to come from."We would have had to figure out a different way to get the money," Kindt said Monday. "A lot of the stuff we’re using isn’t OSHA-approved."For example, the air packs are more than 17 years old, and Kindt said they can’t be pressure tested and are hazardous to refill.The money comes from the Department of Homeland Security as part of direct assistance to firefighters from the 2004 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant Program.It requires a 10-percent match by the Hardwick City Council. "We’re basically going to get $40,000 worth of stuff for $4,000," Kindt said.The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office of Domestic Preparedness in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration. It helps rural, urban, and suburban fire departments prepare for emergencies and acts of terrorism. "Minnesota's firefighters work hard every day to keep our communities safe and to educate our residents about fire prevention," U.S. Senator Mark Dayton said in a statement released last week."I'm happy to report that this funding will help many local communities introduce training programs and purchase vehicles and equipment that they otherwise couldn't afford."A total of $1.2 million has been awarded to 14 Minnesota fire departments.Other southern Minnesota communities receiving grants include: Dunnell Fire Department - $85,350 Northome Fire Department - $51,025Apple Valley Fire Department - $40,000 Underwood Fire Department - $46,900 Lakewood Volunteer Fire Department - $149,473 Austin Fire Department - $75,675 Round Lake Fire Department - $147,700Callaway Volunteer Fire Department - $61,362 Carsonville Fire and Rescue Department - $250,000 Hugo Fire Department - $116,727 Moorhead Fire Department - $96,000 Lakefield Fire Department - $44,519 Saint Steven Fire and Rescue Department - $143,149