CLAY COUNTY – With assistance from Con. Kat Cammack (Fla.-3) Clay County Fire Rescue Department has received an “Assistance To Firefighters” Grant from the Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency. The department will receive $414,454 to improve its operations and safety, including using the grant for new protective equipment.

The grant will permit the Department to install vehicle exhaust extraction systems in each fire station, significantly reducing the carcinogen threat to firefighters in those facilities. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant is one of three grant programs administered by DHS and FEMA to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and related hazards.

“When the application process opened up, and it worked out beautifully, I was assigned the ranking member for the FEMA sub-committee for the entire conference,” Cammack said. “Having oversight of FEMA as the ranking member, you have an inside track on a lot of the grants that go into FEMA. This all fell under that. They knew my interest in our local fire departments, first responders, health and safety, but also a lot of the equipment we need that we’re still behind, collectively, across the country.”

Cammack said she worked with Clay officials to accelerate the application process. “We were given a heads-up there was going to be grant applications opening up. Simultaneously, Clay County was getting ready to apply for it when it opened up. It was a great synergy of us reaching out to them and them being ready to apply for it,” she said. “There’s a great team over there. They applied and they had a fantastic grant application that really outlined and highlighted the need the county had.

“Our team went to work in drafting letters of support, both at the regional office and up here in D.C. I made a few phone calls advocating for Clay County to receive this grant and explained the need and why it was so critical that they get this AFC grant. When they went through the award process, they were a little bit behind, so we were a little nervous. When they did, we were very, very excited to see Clay County on top of the list.”

In fiscal year 2020, the AFG program administered nearly $320 million in competitive grants to eligible applicants whose awards will best address the priorities of the AFG program.

“This is the single largest accomplishment toward the health and safety of our firefighters in Clay County,” said CCFR Chief David Motes. “This grant will help us grow leaps and bounds in protecting our personnel from the cancerous materials they encounter every day on the job. We’re thrilled to be able to use this money for our team and are grateful to Congresswoman Cammack for her work in helping us receive these funds.”