GRANTS

Grants are a way for fire departments to receive financial assistance for specific projects or programs from state or federal agencies. Annually, the federal government opens a grant process in which fire departments from around the U.S., can compete for monies to be allocated for "Capital Expense" projects or programs. The grant requests are reviewed and then the money is dispersed accordingly. Not every grant request is awarded. Departments may need to apply annually for several years and still not receive the assistance.

Grants are also subject to "matching funds". This means that although we may receive funding through the grant, we only receive a percentage of the total cost of the project or program. One type of grant provides the grant recipient to get 50% of the funding from the grant program and the recipient has to provide the other 50% of the funding for the project or program. Other grants may provide for 75% or more, but they almost never provide for 100% of the funding.

Union Bridge has received several grants since the grant program has been established, primarily for firefighter safety. The last two grants we have recieved have been for systems used to provide better service to our community.

Here is a list of grants the we have received as of: February 27, 2015.

1. Firefighter Turn-Out Gear (Entire replacement of all turn-out gear)

2. Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (Complete upgrade to Scott SCBA)

3. Station Exhaust System (Removes exhaust gases from the apparatus bay to reduce cancer causing emissions)

4. Adashi Mobile Data System (Used to receive dispatches, mapping and other resources during emegency reponse)

5. Station Emergency Generator (Enables our building to be used as an emergency shelter)

New Grant Requests:

1. Replacement of Paramedic 89. Request for $240,000 to replace a 2006 Chevrolet/MarqueIII Ambulance