TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) - Federal funding will help four counties in northern Michigan buy equipment for emergency first responders. U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow says the equipment purchases will improve responses to fires and medical crises. Denton Township provides emergency assistance in parts of Roscommon, Ogemaw, and Gladwin Counties. It will receive $19,200 for an automated CPR mechanism for use on ambulances and new paging devices that will provide reliable communication with the county 911 systems. The city of Grayling will receive $39,700 for fire and rescue equipment, including additional turn out gear. The grant will help to protect firefighters and residents of heavily forested Crawford County. The funding comes through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Economic Impact Initiative Grants program.