Douglas County Fire/EMS Awarded Nearly $10 Million

Press release from Douglas County:

March 16, 2023

Chairman Dr. Romona Jackson Jones and the Douglas County Board of Commissioners formally announced, Tuesday, March 7, 2023, that the Douglas County Fire/EMS Department has been awarded a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant from the federal government. The grant totaling $9,655,690 requires no match from the Board of Commissioners and will be used to hire 46 new firefighters in the Douglas County Fire/EMS Department.

“I’m excited to announce how this grant will allow us to hire 46 new firefighters in the Douglas County Fire Department,” said Dr. Romona Jackson Jones, Chairman of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners. “With this additional funding, Douglas County will become a safer community to live, work and play.” Dr. Jones also served as Chairman of the Fire & EMS Committee at the time the Douglas County Fire/EMS Command Staff applied for the grant.

The Douglas County Fire/EMS Department is building a brand-new fire station on Douglas Hill Blvd and Thornton Rd in Lithia Springs. Thanks to citizens 1-cent sales tax voted at last election, Douglas County’s SPLOST Program is funding the building of Station 9 which has a prediction to be fully staffed and operational by 2024.

“The acceptance of the SAFER grant will enable Douglas County firefighters to respond to emergencies more efficiently,” said Dr. Miles Allen, Deputy Fire Chief of the Douglas County Fire Department. “Our ultimate goal of having the SAFER grant is to fully enhance our ability by complying with the staffing, response, and operational standards that are established by the National Fire Protection Association.”

Dr. Miles Allen, Deputy Fire Chief, says the funds from the SAFER grant are earmarked for newly hired firefighters, not trucks or equipment.

This press release was produced by Douglas County. The views expressed here are the author's own.