Allentown, Ga. — Fire safety upgrades are coming to protect Middle Georgia families thanks to U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock.
Crawford County and the Allentown Volunteer Fire Department will receive funding through the Federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program for professional training, wellness and fitness programs, equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), and modifications to facilities.
The Allentown Volunteer Fire Department will also receive funding through the Federal Fire Prevention & Safety Grant (FP&S) program to carry out fire prevention education and training, including fire code enforcement, fire/arson investigation, firefighter safety and health programming, and more.
The Town of Toomsboro and Wilkinson County will each receive funding through the Federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program to retain and hire firefighters.
Sens. Ossoff and Warnock secured resources for these Federal programs with bipartisan support through last year’s government funding package.
“Firefighters across Middle 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.”
“The Town of Toomsboro is very thankful and excited to receive the Fire SAFER Grant,” said Toomsboro Mayor Joyce Denson. “Already the Grant has proven to make a significant change for the safety, health, and security of the community. Not only for the Town of Toomsboro but for the surrounding cities in Wilkinson County as well. Fireman Christopher Landrum was hired as the Recruitment and Retention Coordinator. Through his dedication and perseverance, we have an increase in Volunteer Firefighters, and networking with surrounding counties have helped with training and education to maintain certification, and a good ISO rating.”
“The Fire department can’t be happier to receive this grant to be able to give the volunteer fireman what they need to serve their community to the best of their ability and to maintain a very high level of safety to do so,” said Crawford County Fire Chief Randall Pate.
“Without these programs there is no way a small fire department could ever purchase this life saving devices,” said Allentown Mayor Robert Davidson.
Please find a summary of grant awards below:
| Organization | Program Area | Federal Funding |
| Crawford County Commission | Operations and Safety | $577,295.23 |
| Allentown Volunteer Fire Department | Operations and Safety | $24,538.09 |
| Toomsboro City Hall | Recruitment and Retention | $102,000.00 |
| Wilkinson County Board of Commissioners | Recruitment and Retention | $234,000.00 |
| Allentown Volunteer Fire Department | Fire Prevention and Safety | $27,414.85 |
