Douglas County Accepts $1.2 Million FEMA Grant

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — Douglas County Government has received over $1 million in Federal Emergency Management grant funds from the Department of Homeland Security, the county announced Tuesday. The money will be used to purchase an aerial ladder truck for the Douglas County Fire & EMS Department, which was destroyed in a 2019 accident.

“We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for this grant opportunity, and grateful to our citizens for their contributions with the [special-purpose local-option sales tax],” Douglas County Board of Commissioners Chair Dr. Romona Jones said in a news release. “These federal dollars will help our Fire Department to save lives.”

On Tuesday, the commissioners voted to accept $1,090,909 in FEMA funds. As a condition of the grant, Douglas County is required to contribute non-federal funds equal or greater to 10% of the federal funds received. Commissioners vote to approve $109,090 of SPLOST funding (a 1% sales tax used to fund public works projects).

Douglas County Fire Chief Roderick Jolivette said that the new aerial ladder will help the county better respond to emergencies. On Sep. 22, 2019 a tractor-trailer crashed into the back of a ladder truck while it was responding to an emergency, putting it out of service for two years.

“This Assistance to Firefighters Grant directly impacts the people we serve,” Jolivette said. “By replacing this critical piece of equipment, we will be better equipped to respond to all emergencies in the county.”