The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced a $282,273 award to the Bristol Tennessee Fire Department through the highly competitive Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program.
The award package totals $310,500 with a local cost-share to Bristol of $28,227, and the funds are approved for two separate projects. The AFG award will provide funding assistance for replacing outdated safety equipment and for purchasing items to support the department’s Health and Wellness Program. The department will use $253,636 to purchase 45 self-contained breathing units and the remaining $28,636 to purchase fitness equipment for Bristol’s fire stations.
Most, if not all, of the fitness equipment will be dedicated to the fire department’s new fire station, currently under construction near the Pinnacle shopping center. “Grant programs like these allow the city to utilize funds for other needed areas of operation that would have otherwise been required to purchase this equipment. We are very grateful to everyone who worked to prepare an outstanding grant proposal and, of course, to the Department of Homeland Security for awarding the Bristol Tennessee Fire Department the grant,” said Chief Bob Barnes.
The AFG Program will distribute $310,500,000 to career and volunteer fire departments during the current eligibility period to support the core capabilities of the National Preparedness Goal.
