A Carbon County organization that aims to help municipalities work together to better their communities is giving back to the first responders.

Last week, the commissioners announced that the Carbon County Council of Governments had approved giving $500 to each municipal member for its fire companies. Not all municipalities in the county are members of the COG.

On Monday, Kara Scott, president of the COG said that the group aims to give back to municipalities who are members of the organization.

The long-term ideas include scholarship funds through the membership fees municipalities pay annually.

“Until that gets started, we have invested,” Scott said. “In the meantime, we wanted to give back to the communities to support the membership because that is what the COG is. Network. Educate. Advocate.”

The COG plans to give the $500 on Sept. 11 as a way to show support of first responders.

“Someone suggested (Sept. 11) and it seemed like a perfect time to honor our fire responders that have taken their time (in training, responding to emergencies, fundraising),” Scott said.

The COG has been in existence for several years and at one time had 19 municipalities as members.

Scott said the COG is important for municipalities because it aims to help them work together to secure funds, services and share equipment to help cut down on operational costs for each municipality. She also stressed the importance of municipal representatives attending the monthly meetings.