Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced nearly $1.2 million in grants to fire departments in Ehrhardt, Eutawville, Inman, Lancaster, Lugoff, Marion, Moncks Corner, Monetta, Union, and Williamston.
“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:
Ehrhardt
Ehrhardt Fire Department will receive a $148,500 Firefighting Vehicle Grant.
Eutawville
Eutawville Fire Department will receive a $135,343 Firefighting Vehicle Grant.
Inman
Inman Mills Fire Department will receive a $9,720 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant.
Lancaster
Bell Town Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $477,000 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant.
Lugoff
Pine Grove Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $36,360 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant.
Marion
Marion Fire Department will receive a $62,968 Fire Prevention Grant.
Moncks Corner
Moncks Corner Fire Department will receive an $8,509 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant.
Monetta
Monetta Community Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $166,500 Firefighting Vehicle Grant.
Union
Santuc Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $149,742 Firefighting Vehicle Grant.
Williamston
Piercetown Fire Department will receive a $60,687 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.
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