Blue Ridge, Ga. — Fire safety upgrades are coming to Fannin County thanks to U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock.
Sens. Ossoff and Warnock are delivering $1.2 million in new resources through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Facilities Direct Loans and Grants program, which provides funding to upgrade equipment and purchase new vehicles.
The Fannin County Fire Department will use the funding to purchase new Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus machines (SCBA), which are critical to providing a safe source of breathing air in hazardous environments. This upgrade will bring all SCBAs up to current requirements through the National Fire Protection Association.
In addition to the equipment, two fire trucks will be replaced. One will be a large Class-A pumper and the second will be a smaller Class-A pumper.
“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.”
“Fannin County Fire Department would like to thank Senator Ossoff’s office in their assistance in obtaining the $1.2 million grant from USDA. This grant has assisted the department in obtaining much needed upgrades to fire equipment including 76 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, a Mini-Pumper Fire Truck and a Rescue Pumper Fire Truck. This equipment will aid in the protection of life and property throughout Fannin County and the surrounding areas,” said the Fannin County Fire Department.
These new resources and fire trucks will allow the Fannin County Fire Department to provide support and improve emergency response times.
Last month, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock delivered funding to help the Fitzgerald Fire Department purchase a new fire truck.
Earlier this summer, Sens. Ossoff and Warnock delivered new resources in Metro Atlanta, Augusta and Twin City through the Federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, which provides funding to upgrade equipment, upgrade or purchase new vehicles, train firefighters, and more.
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