The City of Gastonia Fire Department has been awarded a $102,727.27 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to improve fire safety at four City fire stations.
The funding, awarded through FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, will be used to install fire alarm systems at four fire stations. The stations that do not have fire alarms were built prior to the North Carolina Fire Code requirement. The new systems will provide an additional layer of protection for firefighters and other personnel while they are working and living in the stations.
The grant application was developed by the Gastonia Fire Department with assistance from City staff and others involved in the grant process.
“Keeping our firefighters safe doesn’t stop when they return to the fire station,” Brad Best, Gastonia Fire Chief. “This grant will allow us to make important improvements to the safety systems in four of our stations and provide our personnel with an added level of protection while they are on duty.”
The FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant program provides funding to help fire departments and other eligible organizations obtain equipment, training and other resources needed to enhance their ability to protect firefighters and the communities they serve.
The City of Gastonia thanks FEMA for its investment in the safety of Gastonia’s firefighters and recognizes the work of the Fire Department and City staff who helped secure the grant funding.
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Gastonia, N.C., just minutes west of Charlotte, is one of the area’s best places to live and work with an ideal combination of location, size and livability. Gastonia is the largest of Gaston County’s 13 municipalities and one of the largest cities in the Charlotte metropolitan area. Selected as an All-America City three times, Gastonia’s desirable quality of life is the result of its beautiful natural surroundings, friendly neighborhoods, responsive government and vibrant business environment.