TIFTON — The Tift County Board of Commissioners has purchased new equipment for the emergency medical services department via a state trauma-related equipment grant.

Commissioners approved the purchase of trauma arrest bags for each vehicle, two portable suction units, and an advanced airway intubation training mannequin to be funded by a grant from the Georgia Trauma Commission during their Jan. 13 meeting.

Public safety director Joey Fowler explained during the previous board meeting that this grant was distributed annually, with funds allocated according to the number of trucks and staff employed by each licensed service within the state.

Tift County had been allocated $7,119.94, which would be used to purchase the stated equipment. Fowler noted, however, that the expenses would go over the grant funding by $133.49, but assured the commissioners that the expenses had already been budgeted for.