Sanford D. Bishop Jr.
09/19/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/19/2024 10:10
CONGRESSMAN BISHOP HIGHLIGHTS OVER $480,000 IN FEMA FUNDS TO HELP DAWSON AND GRADY COUNTY FIRE & EMERGENCY SERVICES
CONGRESSMAN BISHOP HIGHLIGHTS OVER $480,000 IN FEMA FUNDS TO HELP DAWSON AND GRADY COUNTY FIRE & EMERGENCY SERVICES
September 19, 2024
DAWSON, Ga. -Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) is pleased to announce that the Dawson Fire Department and Grady County Emergency Management Agency received $452,380.95 and $30,476.19, respectively through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.
"Every day our firefighters are putting their lives on the line to keep us safe. I am making sure that Congress provides funds for FEMA so that our local fire and emergency services departments have the help they need to train, equip, and keep our first responders safe while they serve and protect us," said Congressman Bishop.
"The grant is going to be a very big help to our community," said Chief Rusty Hunter of the Dawson Fire Department. He noted that the award will be used for the purchase of a new, reliable fire engine. "The new truck will absolutely be a benefit to our town and firefighters," added Chief Hunter.
"We just really appreciate the help we get with equipment," said Chief Richard Phillips of Grady County's Emergency Management Agency. "We thank SanfordBishop, for helping us."
Chief Phillips noted that the funds will help purchase Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and industrial washers and dryers to clean gear after fighting fires.
Congress annually appropriates funds for FEMA which oversees a trio of federal programs geared towards helping fire and emergency services departments recruit, train, and equip first responders. These programs include the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, the Fire Prevention and Safety Program, and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs.
Congressman Bishop serves in a senior role on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee and made the case for strong funding of these programs in the Fiscal Year 2024 federal spending bill. And, as of September 13, 2024, FEMA has made 1,835 awards totaling $516.2 million across all three grant programs to fire and emergency services departments across America.
Since January of 2023, fire and emergency services departments in Crawford, Grady, Houston, Macon, Muscogee, Schley, and Terrell Counties have received over $2 million in federal funding through FEMA's AFG and the SAFER grant programs to assist in purchasing equipment, recruitment, and training.
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