Sep 22 2004

Graham Announces $1 Million in Grants for South Carolina Fire Departments

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced more than one million dollars in grants to fire departments in Awendaw, Barnwell, Bonneau, Clarks Hill, Gaffney, Heath Springs, Lancaster, Mauldin, Mayo, and Pelion. “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 two program areas:
  • Firefighting 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.
Awendaw Awendaw Fire Department will receive a $44,100 Firefighting Operations and Firefighters Safety grant. Barnwell Barnwell Fire Department will receive a $122,382 Firefighting Operations and Firefighter Safety grant. Bonneau Lake Moultire Fire Department will receive a $50,395 Firefighting Operations and Firefighter Safety grant. Clarks Hill Clarks Hill-Lost Wilderness Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $60,750 Firefighting Operations and Firefighter Safety grant. Gaffney Goucher White Plains Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $27,000 Firefighting Operations and Firefighter Safety grant. Heath Springs Rich Hill Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $135,900 Firefighting Vehicle grant. Lancaster Antioch Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $211,500 Firefighting Vehicle grant. Mauldin Mauldin Fire Department will receive a $100,800 Firefighting Operations and Firefighter Safety grant. Mayo Mayo Area Volunteer Fire District will receive a $175,500 Firefighting Vehicle grant. Pelion Pelion Fire Department will receive a $72,542 Firefighting 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. Grant funds to local fire departments will come from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. ####