Oct 26 2005

Graham and DeMint Announce More Than $1.4 Million in Grants for South Carolina Fire Departments

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina) today announced more than $1.4 million in grants to fire departments across South Carolina. “Firefighters and emergency service personnel dedicate themselves to protecting the health and safety of South Carolinians,” said Graham. “These grants help fire departments save lives by providing the means to obtain the best equipment and training available.” “I’m pleased to announce these grants that are important to the brave firefighters that risk their lives for the families of South Carolina,” said Senator DeMint. The Operations and Firefighter Safety Program grant 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. The grants awarded include: Belvedere Belvedere Volunteer Fire Department will receive $93,413. Blacksburg Blacksburg Fire Department will receive $42,418. Cope Edisto Volunteer Fire Department will receive $38,067. Denmark Denmark Volunteer Fire Department will receive $69,037. Honea Path Honea Path Fire Department will receive $94,847. Lexington Lexington County Fire Service will receive $700,000. Moncks Corner Pimlico Rural Volunteer Fire Department will receive $45,867. Piedmont Piedmont Volunteer Fire Department will receive $147,748. Seneca Corinth-Shiloh Volunteer Fire Department will receive $190,028. Union City of Union Department of Public Safety will receive $73,530. 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. ####