Today, Congressman Patrick McHenry announced two U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grants totaling $563,550 to a local fire department in the Tenth Congressional District.

The grants will go to the Town of Mooresville Fire Department in Iredell County and are administered by the Grant Programs Directorate of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.

The first grant for $325,140 is a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant which assists local fire departments in increasing their staffing and deployment capabilities in order to respond to emergencies whenever they may occur.

The second grant for $238,410 comes through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program which aims to help firefighters and first responders throughout the country. 

According to Mooresville Fire Chief Wes Greene, the SAFER Grant funds will be used to hire three new career firefighters and the AFG Grant will upgrade the Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for the entire department.  “These funds could not come at a better time,” commented Chief Greene. “Mooresville is a growing city and the costs of providing fire protection in today’s economy are continuously rising.  This will be a big help.”

Mooresville is no stranger to AFG Grants.  This is the department’s fourth straight year receiving the grant.  However, this is the first time the department has been awarded a SAFER Grant.  It is extremely rare to receive both types of grants in the same funding cycle.

“This speaks to the strength of the department’s applications and the professionalism of Chief Green and his staff,” stated Congressman McHenry.  “I have visited the Mooresville Fire Department on several occasions.  I enjoyed their annual shrimp and oyster stew after the Christmas parade in 2007 and I look forward to returning to present checks for these grants.”

Mooresville Mayor Bill Thunberg was grateful for the funds, “This is great news for the Town of Mooresville and our taxpayers.  I want to thank Congressman McHenry for his steadfast support of our community and what he does for us in Washington.”

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