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

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced nearly $1,000,000 in grants to fire departments in Beaufort, Bowman, Cheraw, Conway, Greer, North Charleston, Orangeburg, and Pomaria.. “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 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.
• 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.
• Fire Prevention Program: The funds may be used for public education and awareness activities, fire code enforcement, fire inspector certification, the purchase and installation of smoke alarms and fire suppression systems, wildland fire mitigation, and arson prevention and detection. The grants awarded include: Beaufort Lady’s Island-St. Helena Fire District will receive a $153,212 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Bowman Bowman Volunteer Fire Department will receive an $80,973 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Cheraw Brocks Mill Rural Fire Department will receive a $139,500 Firefighting Vehicle Grant. Conway Horry County Fire/Rescue will receive a $48,206 Fire Prevention Grant. Greer City of Greer Fire Department will receive a $65,880 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. North Charleston City of North Charleston Fire Department will receive a $98,035 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Orangeburg Orangeburg Department of Public Safety will receive a $370,827 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Pomaria Consolidated Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $43,223 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. ####