Aug 13 2004

Graham Announces $370,000 in South Carolina Firefighting Grants

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced $370,000 in grants to fire departments in Abbeville, Aiken, Branchville, Iva, and Pauline. “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: Abbeville Abbeville County Fire Protection Service District will receive a $53,865 Fire Prevention Grant. Aiken Silver Bluff Fire Department will receive an $87,030 Firefighting Vehicle Grant. Branchville Hunter’s Chapel Fire Department will receive a $10,494 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Iva McGill Station 3B will receive a $147,011 Firefighting Vehicle Grant. Pauline Glenn Springs-Pauline Rural Fire District will receive a $71,887 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. ####