Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced more than $600,000 in grants to fire departments in Abbeville, Conway, Honea Path, Saint Matthews, and Whitmire. “Firefighters risk their lives to protect others, and they deserve the best equipment and training available,” said Graham. “Firefighters are some of the heroes in our midst.” The grants were awarded in one of two program areas:

• Operations and Firefighter Safety Program: The funds may be used for training, wellness, and fitness programs; the purchase of firefighting equipment and personal protective equipment; and modifications to fire stations and facilities.
• Firefighting Vehicle Acquisition Program: The funds may be used for the purchase of firefighting vehicles including pumpers, brush trucks, tankers, rescue vehicles, ambulances, quints, aerials, foam units, and fireboats.

The grants awarded include: Abbeville Antreville Volunteer Fire Department will receive an $82,832 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Cold Springs Volunteer Fire Department will receive an $81,162 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Conway Conway Fire Department will receive a $124,393 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Honea Path Craytonville Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $64,035 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Saint Matthews Fort Motte Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $166,336 Firefighting Vehicle Grant. Whitmire Whitmire Fire Department will receive an $88,810 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. The Assistance to Firefighters grant program awards one-year grants directly to local fire departments, enhancing their ability to respond to fire and fire-related hazards in the community. The program supports departments by providing them the tools and resources necessary to protect the health and safety of the public and their firefighting personnel. Grantees share in the cost of the funded project at a percentage based on the population of their respective jurisdiction. Grantees that serve jurisdictions of 50,000 or fewer residents are required to provide a non-Federal cost-share of 10 percent while grantees that serve jurisdictions of over 50,000 provide a 30 percent cost-share. The match must be in cash without the use of in-kind contributions. In addition, the maximum amount of federal funds that an applicant can be awarded is $750,000 during any fiscal year. The grants are made by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. ####