Staff report
The Salisbury Fire Department has been awarded a $241,650 FEMA fire grant for operations.
Salisbury is one of dozens of North Carolina departments receiving part of nearly $5.5 million in funds. The department will use the grant for equipment.
The funding is through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.
The grant program provides money to local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations in North Carolina.
“Since 2001, the fire departments of this nation have been using these much needed funds to better serve their communities,” Dr. Denis Onieal, acting assistant administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration said in a press release.
“Today’s firefighters face numerous challenges as they work to prevent and respond to fires in their communities,” he said. “These funds have a direct impact on the safety of both residents and firefighters throughout the nation.”
The program includes three kinds of awards: fire grants, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants and fire prevention and safety grants.
The grant notifications were sent Friday.
Fire Department spokeswoman Chris Kepley said the department will present a demonstration to the Salisbury City Council at its next meeting.
“We’ll tell them we got and show them what we’ll use it for,” she said.
The council meets Tuesday at 4 p.m.