FRANKTON — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security awarded the Frankton Volunteer Fire Department more than $200,000 in grant money to improve the agency’s operations.

Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar’s office announced the $220,800 grant Wednesday.

“This will help the fire department,” Frankton Fire Chief Rob Amick said. “It’s a pretty big deal.”

The fire chief said the grant will be used for hydrant fittings so hoses can be “snapped” into place, speeding the hook-up time when responding to fires.

“It’s so much easier and quicker,” Amick said.

The grant monies will be shared among Richland Township, Alexandria, Lapel, Pendleton, Ingalls and Salem Township-Daleville fire departments to pay for hydrant fittings, said Josh Hendrick, who wrote the successful grant application. The Frankton Fire Department will serve as grant administrator, he said.

Frankton was one of 15 Indiana fire departments to receive a portion of more than $1.1 million distributed through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant. The funds are to be used to “increase the effectiveness of fire fighting and emergency response operations, and to improve firefighter health and safety programs,” according to a news release.

Other central Indiana departments receiving funds include:

• $29,750 for the Monroe Township-Cowan Fire Department

• $40,983 for the Frankfort Fire Department

• $49,040 for the Indianapolis Fire Department

Frankton’s award was the second largest in the grant dispersal. Schererville received $325,140 through a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant. That department will use the funds to hire more firefighters.

Contact Shawn McGrath: 640-4883, shawn.mcgrath @heraldbulletin.com