Centerville Fire Department receives $47,000 grant

CENTERVILLE – The city of Centerville’s Public Service department received a $47,619.04 Assistance to Firefighters grant for new fire safety upgrades.

The grant was awarded to the city by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The federal funds can be used for professional training, wellness and fitness programs, equipment, personal protective equipment and modifications to facilities, according to a press release from Senator Jon Ossoff’s office.

Centerville Fire Chief Jason Jones said they are very appreciative of the grant, and it is nice to receive money to help with the cost of running a fire department.

“Getting these funds helps us buy some new equipment that we will be putting on a new truck when we get it. It’s always a good thing,” he said. 

Jones shares the money will be going towards the purchase of a self-contained breathing apparatus, air packs firefighters use to help them breathe in a fire. He said it will be going into the new fire truck they will receive in 2026. 

He also said using the grant to purchase the SCBA will help the department be able to use funds in their budget for the next couple of years to buy other equipment. Jones said this way they will not have to purchase equipment out of their own budget which saves the city money. 

“Overall, buying the equipment will help our firefighters better serve our community,” he said.

According to a press release, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop Jr. fought to secure strong funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program in the Fiscal Year 2023 federal spending bill. U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff also made sure to strengthen local fire departments, including the city of Centerville. 

Jones shares they appreciated the elected officials in Washington D.C. who are voting to keep the program funded for the next several years. According to Jones, the department will be funded until 2028. 

“If it wasn’t for funding like this, funding opportunities like this grant, we wouldn’t be able to purchase a lot of things,” he said.