Sep 08 2004

Graham Announces More Than $880,000 for South Carolina Firefighting Grants

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced more than $880,000 in grants to fire departments in Blenheim, Fort Mill, Greenville, Hardeeville, Roebuck, Society Hill, Summerton, Summerville, Swansea, Wagener, Ware Shoals and Windsor. “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 are awarded in one of three 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.
  • Fire Prevention Program: The funds may be used for public education, awareness, and fire code enforcement activities; fire inspector certifications; the purchase and installation of smoke alarms and fire suppression systems; wildland fire mitigation; and arson prevention and detection activities.
  • 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: Blenheim Blenheim Fire Department will receive an $85,500 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Fort Mill Pleasant Valley Fire Department will receive a $49,320 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Greenville Belmont Fire and Sanitation District will receive a $137,849 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Hardeeville Levy Fire Department will receive a $63,653 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Roebuck Roebuck Fire Department will receive a $28,800 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Society Hill Harris Creek Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $20,723 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Summerton Summerton Fire Department will receive a $17,595 Fire Prevention Grant. Summerville Summerville Fire Department will receive a $144,090 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Swansea Jumper Station Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $14,838 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Wagener New Holland Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $195,651 Firefighting Vehicle Grant. Ware Shoals Ware Shoals Fire Department will receive a $66,150 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Windsor Windsor Fire Department will receive a $57,535 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. ####