DeKalb County Fire Department was contacted today by Senator Lamar Alexander’s office notifying Chief Donny Green that the department’s grant application in the amount of $52,300 has been approved. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The approved application funds firefighting equipment that will be placed in each of the DeKalb County Fire Departments 11 fires stations across the county and includes fire hoses, ventilation fans, water supply equipment, flashlights, and a portable generator. The Federal share is $49,685 and the local matching share, to be provided by the DeKalb County Government, is $2,615 (5% of $52,300).
Chief Green says that this award will have a huge impact on the department’s daily operations and will be instrumental in allowing the department to maintain and/or improve the county’s Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating; a rating that directly influences the amount of insurance premiums charged to property owners in DeKalb County.
“We are really excited about getting this new firefighting equipment that will allow us to add new equipment in our operation, and will replace equipment that is no longer safe or effective. Our grant application aligned perfectly with AFG’s purpose of the grant—“to protect the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel against fire and fire-related hazards”—and our county will soon be getting the benefit of $52,300 for cost to our local government of only $2,615,” said Chief Green. Using a competitive process, grants are awarded to applicants whose requests best address the priorities of the AFG Program.
Chief Green says that he wishes to express the DeKalb County Fire Department’s sincere thanks to County Mayor Mike Foster, the DeKalb County Commission, and Senator Lamar Alexander for their loyal support of the department’s application for this grant.
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