PRESS RELEASE
Jackson County Fire Rescue recently received two Assistance to Firefighter’s Grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), totaling $902,260.00. These federal grants, distributed through the Department of Homeland Security, represent a significant investment in our community’s safety.
At this meeting, Chief Charlie Brunner requested board approval to purchase an E-ONE Commercial Pumper from Hall-Mark RTC off Sourcewell Contract under the FEMA AFG Grant in the amount of $565,926.24.
The pumper is expected to be completed in December 2025/January 2026, depending on supply chain and production at the plant. In alignment with the pillars outlined in the County’s Strategic Plan, this project corresponds to the “Healthy & Safe Communities” goal.
July 24, 2023 press release: Jackson County Fire Rescue (JCFR) is delighted to announce the receipt of two Assistance to Firefighter’s Grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), totaling $902,260.00. These federal grants, distributed through the Department of Homeland Security, represent a significant investment in our community’s safety.
The first grant, amounting to $500,000.00 with a required 10% match of local funds ($50,000.00), will fund the acquisition of a state-of-the-art fire engine. To be designated as Engine-1, the new fire engine will operate from Station 1, situated on Commercial Park Drive in Marianna. Engine- 1 will serve the diverse north, east, south, and greater Marianna area of Jackson County, bolstering our emergency response capabilities.
The second FEMA grant, totaling $320,236.36, supplemented by a 10% local funds match ($32,023.64), is allocated for the purchase of 38 new self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs), also known as air packs. This grant enables JCFR to upgrade its entire SCBA inventory, replacing equipment more than 15 years old with the latest technology available. Interoperability with volunteer fire departments throughout Jackson County will be ensured, courtesy of the FEMA AFG Grant received in 2021. The upgraded SCBAs are a crucial resource, providing our firefighters with maximum airway protection against toxic gas and harmful particulates on today’s complex fire grounds.
Upon formal acceptance of the grants by the Board of Commissioners, JCFR will embark on the procurement process for this cutting-edge apparatus and equipment. Before field deployment, employees will receive comprehensive training on the use of both the new fire engine and SCBAs.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program’s chief aim is to fulfill the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations. Since 2001, AFG has been instrumental in equipping firefighters and other first responders with essential equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources, ensuring public safety from fire and related hazards.
