The Waverly Police Department is proud to announce it has been awarded a $1,200 grant from the MFA Oil Foundation to support the development of a local emergency disaster and mass casualty response trailer. The funding will be used to purchase critical supplies that will be housed within the trailer and deployed during large-scale emergencies.

The Waverly Police Department, which oversees local Emergency Management operations, was previously awarded grant funding late last year to acquire the response trailer itself. However, due to the recent temporary government shutdown affecting funding distribution through the Department of Homeland Security, those federal funds have not yet been released, delaying the department’s ability to purchase the trailer.

Despite this setback, the MFA Oil Foundation’s contribution allows the department to move forward by securing essential equipment that will be vital once the trailer is acquired. These supplies will enhance the community’s readiness to respond effectively to disasters and mass casualty incidents.

“As a small, rural agency, we rely heavily on grant funding to provide the level of emergency preparedness our community deserves,” said Waverly Police Chief Stephen Phillips. “Without assistance like this from partners such as the MFA Oil Foundation, obtaining the necessary equipment for disaster response would be extremely difficult, if not impossible.”

With limited local revenue sources, grants play a critical role in ensuring agencies like the Waverly Police Department can maintain and improve their emergency response capabilities. The department remains committed to pursuing funding opportunities and strengthening partnerships that enhance public safety and community resilience.