Fire departments in Tipton County received state grant funding this week, bringing more than $313,000 to local agencies through Tennessee’s Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training Grant Program and Rescue Squad Grant Program.
Representatives from departments across West Tennessee gathered Tuesday at the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson, where Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Carter Lawrence and State Fire Marshal officials recognized recipients of the state’s grant programs during a luncheon.
Seven Tipton County departments received grants:
- Gilt Edge Volunteer Fire Department – $51,613.55
- Brighton Fire Department – $48,577.39
- Three Star Volunteer Fire Department – $45,693.00
- Tipton County Fire Department – $41,184.00
- Atoka Fire Department – $33,007.50 (Rescue Squad Grant)
- Covington Fire Department – $27,905.00 (Rescue Squad Grant)
- Garland Volunteer Fire Department – $25,070.00
Together, the departments received $313,050.44 in state funding.
Tipton County Fire to purchase new turnout gear
Tipton County Fire Chief Jon Piercey said his department will use its $41,184 grant to purchase nine complete sets of turnout gear for firefighters.
“Tipton County Fire Department was awarded $41,184 in grant money from the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office,” Piercey said. “This grant award is to purchase nine full sets of turnout gear for our firefighters.”
Piercey said fire departments from the southwestern portion of Tennessee that received grant awards were invited to Jackson to be recognized during the luncheon.
“We all want to thank the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office and Governor Lee for making this grant possible and available to all Tennessee Fire Departments,” Piercey said.
State grants support equipment and training
According to the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, the Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training Grant Program provides funding that departments can use for eligible firefighting equipment and training. The Rescue Squad Grant Program provides funding for eligible rescue squad equipment.
The grants are awarded annually to help Tennessee fire departments and rescue squads improve their capabilities and replace aging equipment.
