Resources will help fire departments upgrade equipment, purchase new vehicles, train firefighters, and more
Cleveland, Ga. — Fire safety upgrades are coming to protect Georgia families thanks to U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock.
Sens. Ossoff and Warnock are delivering new resources through the Federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, which provides funding to upgrade equipment, upgrade or purchase new vehicles, train firefighters, and more.
The Commerce Volunteer Fire Department; City of Fairburn; City of Fayetteville; Nicholson Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department; and City of South Fulton will receive funding for professional training, wellness and fitness programs, equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), and modifications to facilities.
The Arnoldsville Volunteer Fire Department; Banks County; City of Cleveland; and City of Forest Park will receive funding to replace or upgrade vehicles.
Sens. Ossoff and Warnock secured resources for the AFG program with bipartisan support through last year’s government funding package.
“Firefighters across Georgia put their lives on the line to keep families safe,” Sen. Ossoff said. “Senator Warnock and I will never stop championing Georgia’s heroic fire departments, and these resources will help them respond to emergencies that threaten lives and property.”
“Our firefighters are some of the best among us. They run into danger to preserve our safety, and they are beacons of courage and resilience in every corner of Georgia. That is why I am honored to join Senator Ossoff in announcing these new investments in public safety for fire departments across the state,” said Senator Reverend Warnock.“Senator Ossoff and I will continue working to secure additional investments so these brave public servants are able to protect and serve to the fullest of their abilities.”
“We are very grateful to our congressional delegation, including Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock. The grant award for funds for the purchase of a new ladder fire truck is great news for the City of Cleveland,” said Cleveland Mayor Josh Turner. “Our citizens can rest easy knowing that our fire fighters are equipped with the equipment needed to keep our citizens safe. Additionally, the economic development impacts of this ladder truck will be tremendous as it enables existing business owners and developers for current and future projects to grow and thrive in our community.”
“When it comes to public safety, ensuring that our employees have the right tools and resources is imperative to providing the highest level of customer service, especially during an emergency. On any given day, the brave men and women of the Forest Park Fire and Emergency Services Department are called upon to protect human life and property from fire and other disasters, while also maintaining a focus on operational efficiency for our residents and businesses,” Forest Park Mayor Angelyne Butler, MPA said. “These Federal funds will help bolster the department’s ability to respond to major accidents or even structure fires, and I personally would like to commend Chief Latosha Clemons and her entire staff for the exceptional job they have done serving our community.”
“It is with great pleasure the announcement of the 2022 Assistant to Firefighter Grant award EMW-2022-FG-08531 in the amount of $362.857.14. It is through this grant funding that communities, like ours here in Banks County, are able to sustain our response needs to our community, and this additional Fire Unit will meet many needs we currently have. Without funding of this nature, many of our Citizens would go without proper and timely responses in their times of need. The importance of this grant can’t be shown as needed. This piece of equipment will be serving our Citizens in years to come,” said Banks County Board of Commissioners Chairman Charles Turk.“These grants could not become a reality without the support of our elected officials like Senator Ossoff and Senator Warnock. We can’t express our gratitude for this continued support to the Public Safety of Banks County. We look forward to working with them in the future on additional projects that affect our community as this one has.”
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Senator Raphael Warnock and Senator Jon Ossoff for their unwavering commitment to public safety and support through the Assistance to Firefighter grants. As an esteemed recipient of a substantial grant amounting to $134,000, The City of South Fulton Fire Rescue Department stands as a testament to their dedicated efforts,” said South Fulton Fire Chief Chad C. Jones. “This funding will facilitate the acquisition of 30 sets of personal protective equipment (turnout gear) essential for our firefighting operations. With this aid, we can ensure the safety and well-being of our courageous firefighters as they dutifully safeguard our city’s residents. We are honored to have been awarded this grant, as it will significantly enhance our capabilities and resources as a budding municipality and fire department.”
“This is an amazing accomplishment for the Forest Park Fire Department. As Fire Chief, it is my utmost desire to ensure the men and women have all the relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities to serve the city of Forest Park. Having the best tools, equipment, and vehicles most certainly strengthens our protection, response, mitigation, and recovery to our citizens,” said Forest Park Fire Chief Latosha Clemons.
The Arnoldsville Volunteer Fire Department is thankful and honored to receive the Assistance to Firefighters Grant. Receiving the AFG will enable us to purchase a much-needed new fire engine,” said Arnoldsville Fire Department Chief Heath Baker. “This will improve our capability to respond to fires and allow us to be better equipped to serve our rural community and surrounding area. Hopefully, this new equipment will also help with recruiting new volunteers that we desperately need.”
“We at Nicholson Fire and Rescue Department are very thankful to be named a recipient of the FY 2022 Assistance to Firefighter Grant award. The funding received from this grant will be used to purchase nine new self contained breathing apparatus with masks and extra bottles to replace older out of date units, positive pressure ventilation fans and K-12 rescue saws, fire hose, nozzles and hand tools,” the Nicholson Fire and Rescue Department said. “Without this grant we would not be able to purchase this equipment, so we are very blessed to be the recipient.”
Please find a summary of grant awards below:
| Organization | Program Area | Federal Funding |
| City of Fayetteville | Operations and Safety | $74,285.71 |
| City of South Fulton | Operations and Safety | $122,454.54 |
| City of Fairburn | Operations and Safety | $318,740.95 |
| Commerce Volunteer Fire Department | Operations and Safety | $24,666.66 |
| Nicholson Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, Inc. | Operations and Safety | $119,857.14 |
| City of Forest Park | Vehicle Acquisition | $500,000.00 |
| Banks County | Vehicle Acquisition | $362,857.14 |
| City of Cleveland | Vehicle Acquisition | $952,380.95 |
| Arnoldsville Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. | Vehicle Acquisition | $261,904.76 |
