CONGRESSMAN BISHOP ANNOUNCES NEARLY $1.1 MILLION IN FEMA FUNDS FOR CRAWFORD AND GRADY COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENTS
ROBERTA, Ga. – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) is pleased to announce that the Crawford County and Grady County received nearly $1.1 million through the Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) program. The Crawford County Fire Department received $577,295.23 while the Grady County Fire Department received $505,418.18 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which administers the grant program. The funds will help these departments update equipment that is crucial for fighting fires and protecting first responders.
“Our first responders bravely serve us and put their lives on the line to protect our families, businesses, and communities. Maintaining our fire departments – especially when new equipment is needed – can be a huge cost to our smaller cities and counties. That is where FEMA and this program step in to help close the gap and keep us all safe,” said Congressman Bishop. “As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am working hard to push back against dangerous cuts being proposed to federal programs like this. I will continue to fight for these vital resources so that our departments are well staffed, trained, and equipped.”
“We are so pleased to learn that we received the grant. Our grant request was for 48 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses (SCBA) and 52 sets of gear for our volunteers who go above and beyond the call of duty for their community. Thank you for all the support from Rep. Sanford D. Bishop Jr.’s office.” said Crawford County Fire Department Chief Randy Pate.
“Grady County Fire and Rescue applied for 48 SCBA’s and 37 sets of Turnout Gear. We are very appreciative to be awarded this grant and the impact it will have on our department and community. Grant purchases will be used to replace outdated equipment, some of which is 20 years old. Our firefighters will be outfitted in safer gear and upgraded breathing apparatus,” said Grady County Volunteer Fire Department Chief Richard Phillips. “This grant is assisting with our budget as these are some of the most expensive items to replace that also have expiration dates on them from their manufacturers. Turnout gear and breathing apparatuses are essential equipment for firefighters to perform their duties safely and effectively in our community. Being awarded this grant ensures that our firefighters will have the necessary equipment for years to come.”
In Fiscal Year 2022, FEMA awarded $324 million in Assistance to Firefighter Grants to first responders across the country. These grants are awarded to fire departments, emergency medical services organizations, State Fire Training Academies (SFTA), and other non-federal first responder organizations. These grants help enhance training programs, obtain equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE), and make modifications to facilities.
Fire departments interested in learning more about the program and how they can apply during future funding cycles should visit FEMA’s website at https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters.
Since January 2023, Congressman Bishop secured the following funding for Southwest Georgia’s first responders:
- $315,757.89 through the AFG program to the Columbus Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services
- $105,942 through the AFG program to the Montezuma Fire Department
- $64,762 through the AFG program to Schley County Fire and Emergency Medical Services
- $161,167 directly secured by Congressman Bishop for Miller and Baker counties to replace obsolete 911 communications equipment
- $3,941,986 directly secured by Congressman Bishop for Mitchell County and surrounding counties to purchase interoperable P25 radio system equipment, which allows fire, police, and EMS to communicate within and across counties during natural disasters
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