U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold announced this week that the Holmen Area Fire Department will receive a federal Assistance to Firefighters grant. Holmen Fire Chief Doug Schober wrote the grant for the department.

Schober said he will use the $32,400 to purchase 30 new fire fighting suits, which cost about $1,200 each.

"We're going to purchase as many as we can depending on the cost, but 30 for sure," Schober said.

This is the third year in a row the department has received a grant.

The United States Fire Administration provides the grant money to fire departments throughout the country.

Departments can use the money for a variety of things, from purchasing new safety equipment or for updating facilities to training and fitness of firefighters.

Schober said his department has focused on purchasing equipment that will make firefighters safer.

"We're updating our equipment that is no longer compliant," Schober said.

The USFA is a branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office for Domestic Preparedness.

"This grant program has been an unqualified success in getting much needed resources directly to local firefighters," Feingold said in a statement. "I am pleased that the department was able to secure this grant."

Feingold held one of his annual listening sessions in Holmen in April.

Communities from throughout Wisconsin sent 621 applications to the USFA, requesting a total amount of approximately $70 million.

Over 20,000 fire departments applied for grant awards this year.

Schober said it is very costly to purchase fire equipment. The grant money takes some of the pressure off.

"As long as the money is available, we are going to apply for it," Schober said.