Fire protection will improve at Roby under a program spearheaded by the Missouri Department of Conservation and U.S. Forest Service.
Roby is among 177 fire departments receiving checks of up to $3,000 to help with the purchase of personal protective gear and firefighting equipment.
The Roby Fire Department purchased two new radios, batteries, nine safety vests, seven backpack pumps, 10 wildland coats, three wildland helmets with shroud, two chainsaws and two packpack blowers.
Across Missouri, about $381,159 will be distributed. Departments are required to match the funds. During the last 27 years, more than $5.53 million has gone to departments to help increase safety and provide better firefighting equipment.