GREENVILLE, S.C.— A $409,000 grant will provide the 85 firefighters of the Parker Sewer and Fire Subdistrict with new Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), making their jobs safer.
Under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) grants, fire departments and other eligible organizations can receive funding through three different grants: To enhance a fire department’s or safety organization’s ability to protect the health and safety of firefighters and the public; To assist fire prevention programs and support firefighter health and safety research and development; and to increase or maintain the number of trained front-line firefighters available in communities.
“This is a major win for the department,” said Parker Fire Department Chief Greg Farley.
In addition to the 50 SCBAs, which is the gear that allows firefighters to breathe when battling a blaze, the department also will replace the SCBA air compressor at Station 53 on State Park Road.
“Protection and safety are essential for our firefighters to be successful,” said Farley. “This grant will provide vital equipment to help them achieve that goal.”
The FEMA grant comes a few weeks after the fire department was honored with a Fire Safe South Carolina Community Designation, said Alan Kay, chairman of Parker Sewer and Fire Subdistrict commission.
“Once again, the Parker team is leading the way in serving residents and providing them with the results they need,” Kay said. “This gear is invaluable and a great win for our fire department.”
About Parker Sewer and Fire Subdistrict:
Serving the needs of the people of western Greenville for nearly a century, the Parker Sewer and Fire Subdistrict provides exemplary service, stewardship, and leadership to its constituents. Parker was created as a special-purpose district, which are independent, special-purpose governmental units that exist separately from local governments such as county, municipal, and township governments. Learn more at www.parkersewerfiresubdistrict.com.