Area first responders will receive approximately $80,000 in grant money from the Missouri Department of Public Safety for new equipment, supplies and training.
The Poplar Bluff Fire Department will receive nearly $16,500 of that to provide for new turnout gear.
Grants were also awarded to emergency medical services and law enforcement departments in Carter, Ripley and Stoddard counties through this program, which awarded $6.3 million statewide.
PBFD will be able to replace eight sets of turnout gear with the funds, Capt. Steve Burkhead said in November, when the application was presented to city council members.
The grant requires a 50% match from departments, which will be required to expend the money before the end of May, council members were told.
“This is part of our normal budget cycle,” Burkhead told the council. “We’re due to buy eight sets this year due to gear reaching the end of its lifespan. (We’re) required to replace our turnout gear at a maximum of 10 years.”
Poplar Bluff Police Department had also sought a $20,000 grant to replace 10 handheld radios, which was not awarded.
The grant funds come from through the state from unused American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Separate sets of money were available for law enforcement, fire safety and EMS.
Also receiving grants are: Van Buren Police Department, $2,800; and approximately $20,000 each for, Butler County EMS, Ripley County Ambulance District and Stoddard County Ambulance District.
A total of 428 grants were awarded in this cycle, according to a press release from the office of Gov. Mike Parson.
“Meeting with first responders and traveling to disaster scenes across the state, we know how essential it is that these devoted public servants have the essential equipment and training they need to do their jobs,” Parson said. “These grants mean law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel will be better equipped in performing their lifesaving work and protecting the public.”
While this grant application cycle has closed, grant recipient lists will be updated periodically as additional grants are finalized, according to the governor’s office.
The maximum grant amount to recipients was $20,000.
Grants were awarded as follows.
• Law Enforcement: To date, a total of 106 law enforcement agencies have been approved to receive a total of over $1.6 million for equipment, including patrol vehicles, mobile data terminals and investigative technology and software.
• Fire Safety: To date, a total of 224 fire service agencies have been approved to receive a total of over $3 million for equipment, including turnout gear, extrication equipment and thermal imaging cameras.
• EMS: To date, a total of 98 emergency medical service providers have been approved to receive a total of over $1.6 million for equipment, including automatic compression devices, cardiac monitors and emergency communications radios.