Congressman Spencer Bachus (AL-6) announced last Wednesday that the Pell City Fire and Rescue Service has been awarded a federal fire grant in the amount of $205,480.

“Firefighters are on the front lines every day, protecting lives and saving property.  They deserve modern equipment and the best in safety gear.  The Pell City Fire and Rescue Service is to be commended for always working quickly and effectively to respond to emergency calls in the community,” Bachus said.

 The Operations and Safety Grant will be used for the purchase of new equipment including a “jaws of life,” self-contained breathing apparatus, and turnout gear.

Chief Patrick Draper said, “We are appreciative of this grant and thank Congressman Bachus for his continued support.  Without these funds, many departments would have trouble obtaining this needed equipment.”

Funds awarded under the Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) program are used to meet the firefighting and emergency needs of fire departments and nonaffiliated medical services organizations.  Only the applications most closely conforming to program priorities are considered and scored by peer review panels.  The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.