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

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Jim DeMint and Lindsey Graham announced $1,079,479 in grants for South Carolina Fire Departments. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP) awards one-year grants directly to fire departments to support the nation's firefighters and the services they deliver. For the FY 2005 program, Congress appropriated, and President Bush signed into law, $650 million in direct assistance to firefighters to improve the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, and to establish or expand fire prevention programs throughout the United States. The Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP) administers the program, in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration. The grants were awarded in one of two 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. The following South Carolina cities were awarded grants: Anderson Center Rock Fire Department will receive a $116,824 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Elloree Elloree Fire Department will receive a $185,250 Firefighting Vehicle Acquisition Grant. Midway Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $235,600 Firefighting Vehicle Acquisition Grant. Eutawville Eutawville Fire Department will receive a $93,110 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Moncks Corner Moncks Corner Rural Fire Department will receive a $61,299 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Seneca Friendship Volunteer Fire Department will receive an $86,292 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Sharon Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $118,750 Firefighting Vehicle Acquisition Grant. Simpsonville Simpsonville Fire Department will receive a $46,800 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. St. Matthews Fort Motte Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $97,090 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Whitmire Whitmire Fire Department will receive a $38,464 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. ####