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

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint today announced nearly $600,000 in grants to fire departments in Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Edgefield, Heath Springs, Landrum, North Myrtle Beach, Richburg, and Taylors .

 

 

“Firefighters and emergency service personnel dedicate themselves to protecting the health and safety of South Carolinians ,” said Graham.  “These grants will help our local fire departments by providing them the means to obtain the best equipment and training available.”

 

 

“ South Carolina 's firefighters risk their lives to protect our families each day and I'm proud they have been awarded these competitive grants,” said Senator DeMint.

 

 

The grants were awarded for Operations and Firefighter Safety Programs.  Fire departments may use these funds for training, wellness, and fitness programs; the purchase of firefighting and personal protective equipment; and modifications to fire stations and facilities.

 

The grants awarded include:

 

Chesterfield

 

Teal’s Mill Rural Volunteer Fire Department will receive $10,260.

 

Darlington

 

Palmetto Rural Fire Department will receive $64,599.

 

 

Dillon

 

Floyd Dale Rescue and Fire Department will receive $55,908.

 

 

Edgefield

 

Westside Volunteer Fire Department will receive $34,200.

 

 

Heath Springs

 

Pleasant Hill Volunteer Fire Department will receive $39,900.

 

 

Landrum

 

Landrum Fire Department will receive $130,245.

 

 

North Myrtle Beach

 

City of North Myrtle Beach will receive $89,679.

 

 

Richburg

 

Richburg Fire Department will receive $32,490.

 

 

Taylors

 

Taylors Fire Department will receive $138,824.

 

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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