DeKalb County Fire Department Receives Federal Grant
September 6, 2007, DOWELLTOWN – The DeKalb County Fire Department will receive a $229,340 U.S. Department of Homeland Security operations and safety grant, U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon announced.
“Many communities struggle to maintain EMS and firefighting services,” said Gordon, a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “Even though demands on EMS providers and firefighters have increased tremendously over the years, the resources they depend on to provide their life-saving services have not.
“That’s why Congress initiated the Assistance to Firefighters Program, which is similar to the highly successful COPS program that put more than 100,000 new police officers on the nation’s streets.”
Chief Donny Green said the DeKalb County Fire Department will use the federal funds to purchase 44 breathing apparatus, or air packs, which will allow for four air packs at each of the 11 fire stations across the county. The air packs cost about $5,000 each.
“We could not buy them [ourselves]. The ones we’re using are 20 years old. That’s about like having a 20-year-old computer. The technology runs out really quick,” Green said. “This will put us in compliance with National Firefighters Protection Association standards.”
