US Senate passes bill extending grant programs for Georgia fire departments

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First)- The U.S. Senate has passed the Fire Grants and Safety Act.

When signed by the president, the bill will reauthorize key grant programs that provide federal funding to Georgia’s fire departments.

Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff said strengthening fire safety in Georgia is one of his key priorities.

“There’s no worse nightmare for any family than waking up in the middle of the night, smelling smoke, calling 911, but there’s no fire rescue service available in time,” Ossoff said. “After hearing from fire chiefs across the state about aging equipment and understaffed departments, I worked to bring Republicans and Democrats together to pass this bipartisan bill that will upgrade fire safety across Georgia.”

The bill extends authorizations for the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program, the Fire Prevention and Safety Grants Program, and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant (SAFER) Program, which can be used to upgrade equipment, hire and retain firefighters and provide better training.

Gary Clark, the Georgia State Firefighters Association president, celebrated the passage of the bill as a big win for departments struggling to pay for the rising cost of equipment.

“The money is tight right now, with inflation the way it is,” Clark said. “For instance, a new engine truck, say a new engine, five years ago, you could have purchased that truck for, you know, around $750,00-800,000. Now it’s $1.2 million. Inflation has gone and just skyrocketed. It eats into a lot of other budgetary items that the city or counties may have, to buy a new apparatus, turnout gear, needed air packs, or supplies for the station. The funding from this legislation is greatly needed and without it, it would be detrimental to a lot of departments in the state.”

Since taking office, Ossoff has delivered dozens of grants through these federal programs to cities, counties and agencies across the state— including Columbus and West Point; Augusta and Twin City; Metro Atlanta and North Georgia, Middle Georgia, Southwest Georgia, and Coastal Georgia.

The bipartisan bill now heads to the president’s desk for his signature.

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