TFD receives grant for equipment

Contributed

The City of Tallassee Fire Department received notification of award from the FY 2023 Assistance to Firefighters Grant program for firefighting equipment. This funding opportunity has been approved in the amount $282,390.47 in Federal funding. As a condition of this grant, we are required to contribute non-Federal funds equal to or greater than 5.00% of the Federal funds awarded, or $14,119.53 for a total approved budget of $296,510.00.

On July 23, the Tallassee City Council formally voted unanimously to accept the award and provide the necessary matching funds to facilitate the grant purchase. The grant award is for 30 new Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) to replace our existing equipment and provide increased safety and reliability within our department.

With the purchase of these much-needed SCBA, our department will be able to better perform its duties of fire suppression and providing rescue services. They will be better protected from the elements of fire and heat. They will encounter fewer contaminations by having a full complement of protective clothing and now SCBA to utilize. These new SCBA will fill a critical need in our community.

Having this new SCBA will lower the risk of injuries sustained using the previous obsolete packs we have now. They will fully meet NFPA and OSHA requirements. When our firefighters are better equipped, it will not only benefit our community but our neighboring communities as well. We will become a much better mutual aid partner by being able to adequately perform our duties. With adequate SCBA, firefighters will not be exposed to hazardous contaminants. The safety improvement will be immeasurable. This equipment will have an immediate impact on the safety of firefighters responding to fires and other incidents. Having basic equipment for our firefighters to use will improve our overall response preparedness for our community; as well as offer support to other communities where we provide mutual aid.