Special to The Leader

PORT NECHES, Texas – Flint Hills Resources and Koch Pipeline Company have awarded $50,000 in grants to 15 fire departments across the Golden Triangle area for training, education, equipment, and emergency notification needs. The Helping Heroes grants were awarded yesterday at the Port Neches Fire Department.

“The Helping Heroes program is one way we support our local first responders,” said Richard Creamer, site director for Flint Hills Resources Port Arthur. “Each day these dedicated individuals provide essential services to our community. It is nice to return the favor through this grant process.”

The 2016 grant recipients are: Anahuac Volunteer Fire Department, Beaumont Emergency Management, Bridge City Police Department, City of Orange Fire Department, Cove Fire and Rescue, Groves Fire Department, Groves Police Department, Hardin County ESD 2/ Lumberton Fire and EMS, Kountze Volunteer Fire Department, Mont Belvieu Fire Department, Nederland Fire and Rescue, Old River – Winfree Volunteer Fire Department, Orange County Emergency Management, Port Arthur Fire Department, and Port Neches Fire Department.

“This is a great opportunity to stop and say thank you to the men and women who risk their lives for the safety of our communities,” said Larry Van Horn, vice president of southern operations for Koch Pipeline Company. “As the Helping Heroes program continues to grow, we hope these funds will increase individual skills through training and provide the right tools for our emergency responders.”

In 2012, Flint Hills Resources and Koch Pipeline Company began the Helping Heroes grant program to support fire departments and emergency responders in Texas communities. To date, the companies have awarded approximately $700,000 in grants across the state. The annual application period opens in June and recipients are selected during October by a team of internal and external safety experts.