One grant is for body cameras for the sheriff’s office, the second is an application from the fire and rescue squad to improve technology.

The Bedford County department of Fire and Rescue gets dozens of calls each day and the grant would help replace some of the items that get worn out quickly.

The Fire and Rescue squad is requesting permission from the Board of Supervisors to apply for the grant through the VA Department of Health. It will be several months before the department learns if the grant will be provided.

Another big request that will be considered at tonight’s meeting comes from the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office. The office is applying for a grant that would provide additional body cameras.

As of today, about half of the deputies are equipped with the body camera technology. That additional money is already included in the Sheriff’s proposed budget for the upcoming year.

As the body camera technology continues to improve, the cameras are being used to keep the community and officers safe.

“Studies show that when an officer wears a body camera, assaults on police officers goes down fifty percent,” says Major Ricky Gardner.