Glassy Mountain FD awarded $230K FEMA grant

LANDRUM, S.C. — The Glassy Mountain Fire Dept. was awarded $230,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, it was announced on Friday by officials.

The department received an Assistance to Firefighters Grant, part of a program to help provide funds for equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources to better protect the public and emergency personnel across the nation.

Glassy Mountain's grant is to be used to replace outdated air packs (also known as SCBAs) that have reached the end of their service life with state-of-the-art breathing apparatus units. Worn by firefighters to provide breathable air in dangerous situations, the SCBAs have a maximum 15-year shelf life and were due for replacement at the Glassy Mountain department.

“Our firefighters risk their lives to protect our community,” said Glassy Mountain FD Chief Robert J. Staples. “SCBAs provide our staff and volunteers with breathable air during structural fires and other hazardous conditions. We are grateful to FEMA which has allowed fire departments like GMFD who have limited funding options to replace aging equipment.”

FEMA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (To see the complete list of this fiscal year's award recipients, click here.