Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC-10) announced $156,952 in a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant to a local fire department in the Tenth Congressional District.

The grant will go to the Lowell Fire Department in Gaston County, and comes in the ninth round of this year’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant awards which assist local fire departments to increase their staffing and deployment capabilities to help them better respond to emergencies whenever they may occur. Local departments applied for the grants from the program which is administered by the Grant Programs Directorate of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.  

Lowell Fire Chief Scott Moore explained that the grant will fund several initiatives aimed at recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters. Included in these initiatives are: a per call reimbursement for volunteers, training rebates for expenses to attend classes, rewards for certifications obtained, awards for outstanding service, physicals and immunizations for new recruits, and a complete set of new turnout gear for new recruits.

This is Lowell’s second FEMA grant of the FY 2015 cycle. Earlier this summer, the department received an Assistance to Firefighters equipment grant.

“It is a real pleasure to once again recognize the Lowell Fire Department for their outstanding work,” said Congressman McHenry. “The SAFER Grant is the hardest of the Fire Act grants to get but it’s impact on a community can be tremendous.  I look forward to once again visiting with Chief Moore and his department to congratulate them on both grants they have received this cycle.”

Chief Moore stated, "In a day and age when it is harder and harder to recruit volunteers to the fire service, this grant will be a tremendous asset to our department in ensuring we have ready and well-trained firefighters today and for years to come. We thank Congressman McHenry for his support of the SAFER program and all he does for the fire service."

Lowell is one of two Tenth District departments to receive funding in the ninth round and they are the first Tenth District department to receive SAFER funding in the FY 2015 grant cycle.  Grants will continue to be announced in weekly rounds throughout the coming months.