BOULDER CITY – The Boulder City Fire Department was awarded FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) for self-contained breathing apparatus (air packs). The total award amount is $147,952.00. The grant was created in 2001 to meet firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations across the country.
The city is responsible for covering $14,752.00 in costs, and had allocated $168,000 for the project in the Capital Improvement Plan Budget. Rep. Susie Lee advocated for the funding. “I want to thank Congresswoman Susie Lee for her continuing efforts for the residents of Boulder City to provide grants and other funding for important projects,” said Mayor Kiernan McManus. “These air packs are critical to firefighters and Representative Lee was able to secure 90% of the cost. I appreciate the work Chief Will Gray does to identify these sources of funding. Rep. Lee has worked tirelessly to provide funding that increases the safety and security of our residents.”
Deputy Chief Greg Chesser applied for the grant on behalf of the department. “The Boulder City Fire Department is very grateful for the FEMA Assistance to Firefighter Grant to fund the purchase of our new self-contained breathing apparatus,” said Fire Chief Will Gray. “This new, state of the art equipment will provide a safer work environment for our firefighters and allow great accountability on the fireground.”
The Boulder City Fire Department is comprised of 26 full-time employees and 17 reserves. “Our Fire Department has been a critical resource for the community in responding to the pandemic,” said City Manager Taylour Tedder. “Keeping our first responders safe and giving them the tools that they need to be effective is a priority. We appreciate Rep. Lee’s continued commitment to Boulder City.”
According to the FEMA website, “Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.”
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