Grenada Star
Elliott VFD Awarded $48,476 for Upgrades
By Reggie Ross
The Elliott Volunteer Fire Department was recently the recipient of a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant to support safety upgrades for first responders.
U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith, recently announced $1,808.830.23 in FEMA grant funding to support safety upgrades for fire departments in five Mississippi communities.
The 40-man Elliott VFD was included in the funding and will receive $48,476.19 to acquire safety and protective equipment. The grants have been awarded under FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program.
District One Supervisor Michael Lott, who serves as president of the board, said the announcement was good news for Grenada County
“I’m happy that the money went to Elliott,” Lott said. “All of the county’s volunteer fire departments need all the assistance they can get. These are men and women that volunteer their time to do a much-needed service for Grenada County.”
“This latest round of FEMA assistance ensures that more of our local fire departments have the tools and training they need to support Mississippi communities,” Wicker said. “Expanded training facilities for firefighters at the Mississippi State Fire Academy, in addition to new fire engines for Greenville and Osyka, will help to save lives and protect property statewide.”
“Communities across Mississippi apply to this important FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant program for resources to help them ensure first responders are well trained, equipped and prepared to protect the public in responding to all types of emergencies,” Hyde-Smith said. “I’m pleased to see more of these highly competitive grants being awarded to our state to help strengthen first responder capabilities.”
AFG grants are awarded on a competitive basis by FEMA in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration. Many more Mississippi fire departments are expected to receive grants throughout the remainder of the year.
The latest grants for Mississippi include:
• City of Greenville - $900,000 to acquire a 100-foot quint fire engine.
• Mississippi Department Of Insurance, Jackson - $434,782.61 to refurbish a second burn building prop at the State Fire Academy.
• Rural Osyka Volunteer Fire Department, Osyka - $377,095.24 to acquire a new pumper fire engine.
• Walters Volunteer Fire Department, Pelahatchie - $48,476.19 to acquire safety and protective equipment.