When Ken Houtz, who owns Ken Houtz Chevrolet-Buick in Gloucester, heard about grants being available for lifesaving equipment, he spoke up.

Houtz not only talked to a representative of the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association (VADA) about grants made by that organization’s charitable foundation, but he also asked for money to buy equipment for the Gloucester and Abingdon volunteer fire and rescue departments.

Houtz said he was surprised, but very happy, that his request was approved by the Virginia Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation. In all, the equipment received totals about $4,000 in value.

Sean Davis, director of dealer services for VADA, said he is glad to see this area receive support from the foundation. The $4,000 in equipment includes a full body Resusci Anne for Abingdon’s volunteer unit, and four upper body/head Resusci Anne units for the Gloucester department.

The full body unit allows the volunteers to practice CPR and other first-aid procedures, D...