CONGRESSMAN BISHOP ANNOUNCES OVER $300,000 IN FEMA FUNDS TO HELP EQUIP THE COLUMBUS FIRE DEPARTMENT & EMS
COLUMBUS, Ga. – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) is pleased to announce that the Columbus Fire and EMS Department was awarded $315,757.89 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighter Grants program.
“Through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, run by FEMA, we can help departments get up-to-date, quality equipment that they need to best protect the communities they serve and protect the lives of our first responders,” said Congressman Bishop. “As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am holding the line against dangerous cuts being proposed to federal programs like this. Our fire departments as well as law enforcement and first responders must have the confidence that Congress and the federal government are here to support them as they put their lives on the line for our families, businesses, and neighborhoods.”
“The Columbus Fire-EMS Department is grateful for the opportunity to be the recipient of this Assistance to Firefighters Grant award. These funds will be utilized to support our department’s Health and Wellness program by replacing obsolete fitness equipment in all of our fire stations. The health and well-being of our firefighters is our top priority. This award will allow us to support our efforts to promote firefighter fitness and readiness to serve the citizens and visitors of Columbus and Muscogee County,” said Columbus Fire and EMS Chief Salvatore J. Scarpa.
In Fiscal Year 2022, FEMA awarded $324 million in Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) 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, fund the purchase of equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE), and support facility upgrades, all of which directly promote local emergency services.
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:
- $505,418.18 through the AFG program to the Grady County Fire Department
- $577,295.23 through the AFG program to the Crawford County Fire Department
- $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 the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission that will help Mitchell County as well as Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, and Worth Counties 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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