Douglas County Government has been awarded more than a million dollars in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant funds from the Department of Homeland Security. The money will be used to replace damaged fire safety equipment. During its September 14, 2021 meeting, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners voted to accept the $1,090,909 in FEMA funds.
As a condition of the grant, Douglas County was required to contribute non-Federal funds equal to or greater than 10.0% of the Federal funds awarded. County leaders approved using $109,090 of SPLOST funding for the cost-share requirement.
“We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for this grant opportunity, and grateful to our citizens for their contributions with the SPLOST funds. These federal dollars will help our Fire Department to save lives,” says Chairman Dr. Romona Jackson Jones.
The $1.2 million dollar allocation will be used to purchase an aerial ladder truck for the Douglas County Fire & EMS Department. “This Assistance to Firefighters Grant directly impacts the people we serve,” says Douglas County Fire Chief Roderick Jolivette.
“By replacing this critical piece of equipment, we will be better equipped to respond to all emergencies in the County.” On September 22, 2019, a tractor-trailer crashed into the back of a Douglas County ladder truck while it was responding to an emergency incident. The wreck destroyed the ladder truck, putting the vehicle out of service for nearly two years.