NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office announce that applications will be accepted starting Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, from volunteer fire departments for $5 million in grants through the Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training Grant Program.

Created by legislation approved by Governor Bill Lee and the General Assembly in 2019, the program earmarks monies for the purchase of firefighting equipment by Tennessee volunteer fire departments or to help volunteer departments meet local match requirements for federal grants for purchasing equipment. Grant proceeds may be used to purchase equipment (other than fire trucks or vehicles) used by firefighters to extinguish fires and protect the lives of firefighters. The grants may also be used to help fire departments pay or reimburse the cost share for federal grants that have already been awarded.

Since the program’s launch in 2020, grants totaling $1.5 million have been provided to over 100 Tennessee fire departments. The allocation of $5 million represents the largest amount yet for this program.

“As we have seen in our outreach visits across all 95 Tennessee counties during the past three years, the men and women of the Tennessee fire service have no lack of bravery or courage, but in some cases, they have a pressing need to replace outdated firefighting equipment,” said Tennessee State Fire Marshal and TDCI Commissioner Carter Lawrence. “This program will help provide resources to Tennessee’s volunteer firefighters while fulfilling Governor Lee’s vision of strengthening Tennessee’s rural communities.”

Said TDCI Assistant Commissioner of Fire Prevention Gary Farley: “Volunteer fire departments embody the Volunteer State at its best. These men and women willingly put their lives on the line for their communities for little or no compensation or recognition. It is incumbent on our team to provide these firefighters with a way to acquire reliable and effective firefighting equipment to protect themselves as they protect their communities.”

Eligible fire departments must hold a valid recognition from the SFMO and have a staff comprised by less than 51% full-time career firefighters.

Applications received during the submission period will be scored internally and submitted to a seven-member committee who will oversee the award selection. The committee is composed of three representatives from the Tennessee Fire Chiefs Association, three representatives from the Tennessee Firemen’s Association, and TDCI’s Assistant Commissioner of Fire Prevention. Per statute, the funds will be awarded equally among Tennessee’s Grand Divisions.

Applications will be accepted until Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. CT.

Applicants with questions about the grant should contact Director of Education and Outreach Michelle Price by email at michelle.price@tn.gov or by calling (629) 259-1713.

Pennsylvania State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Representative John Galloway (D-140) announced $1 million in state funds from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) for the renovation of Falls Township Fire Company No. 1.

“I’d like to thank Governor Wolf for supporting my request to dedicate RACP funds for the Falls Township Fire Company No, 1 project, which will provide the fire company with an improved facility to better serve the residents of Falls Township in emergencies,” said Sen. Santarsiero.  “I am incredibly grateful for the time and service of the volunteer firefighters who serve our community, and I enthusiastically supported the fire company’s application to ensure the company has an upgraded space.”

The project will include a large-scale renovation of the existing firehouse, originally constructed in 1958. The funds will be used to help with demolition, the renovation of the existing structure, the construction of an addition to the building and a new building façade. Improvements will include areas for apparatus bays, administration space and storage, along with upgrading sleeping areas, showers, workout areas for physical fitness, radio communications, technology upgrades, training room and kitchen and day room area improvements, which are essential to attract and retain members now and into the future.

“Our firefighters put their lives on the line for our community on a daily basis, but for too long in Falls Township they have not had an adequate facility to work from,” said Rep. John Galloway. “I’m pleased these funds will be used to upgrade the existing firehouse and add a new addition to the property, which will make it easier for the firefighters to do serve the community.”

“As we move towards our 100^th year of operation, the current firehouse needs updating,” said Falls Township Fire Company President Michael McClellan Jr. “In order to serve Falls Township, investments are needed to update our facility with the modern amenities required to provide Fire Protection in the 21^st Century. The upgrades will benefit our greatest assets, our members. Falls Township and the areas we respond to with our Lower Bucks Mutual Aid Partners, will benefit exponentially with the investment made by this grant.”

RACP is a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects. RACP projects have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity. RACP projects are state-funded projects that cannot obtain primary funding under other state programs. 

To learn more about RACP projects and grants, visit the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget website. 

Firefighters in Pawnee County (OK) said most of the equipment they use is at least 30 years old, and in need of updating, News9.com reported. The newest model truck is from 2006, with the rest of the equipment being at least 30 years old, a fire official said.

The North 48 Fire Department is a volunteer fire department covering the eastern half of Pawnee County. The department is hoping voters will pass the upcoming sales tax issue on the November ballot.

All 12 fire departments in Pawnee County would split the money evenly, the report said.

The fire official said if the sales tax vote passes, not only would it help keep people safer with better equipment, it could also help with the county’s insurance rating, according to the report.

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners is considering a contract that could bring a new fire station for the Sutallee community, TribuneLedgerNews.com reported.

The board is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a $6.2 million construction agreement with Cooper and Company General Contractors, Inc., with a 10% county-controlled contingency of $621,000, for the construction of a new Sutallee Fire Station 13, according to county documents.

Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services is requesting to replace the existing Station 13 off Knox Highway, which was originally a house that volunteers converted to a station and was not designed to house firefighters 24 hours a day, the report said.

Construction on Cascade Township (MI)’s new fire station is set to begin this week, GRBJ.com reported.

Cascade Township is scheduled to host a ground breaking ceremony at 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 2, to kick off the renovation project for its new Fire Station 1 at 2865 Thornhills Avenue SE, the report said.

The $10.9 million renovation has been in the works since 2018 and is the largest capital investment project in Cascade’s history, according to the township. The new station is expected to open in fall 2023, the report said.