Bamberg, South Carolina - Before services concluded for the dedication of the newest addition to the fleet of Bamberg County Fire Service, Bamberg County Administrator Joey Preston announced that the Hunters Chapel Volunteer Fire Department was awarded a $333,333 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) from the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) to acquire another fire pumper tanker.

"This federal funding will enable the Hunters Chapel Volunteer Fire Department to acquire a much-needed new fire engine, bolstering public safety and ensuring Bamberg County firefighters can safely protect our communities," said Joey Preston, Bamberg County Administrator. "None of this would have been possible without the collaboration of county administration, the Hunters Chapel department, and Congressman Jim Clyburn’s office."

"We will continue working to ensure Bamberg County firefighters and first responders have the resources they need to do their jobs safely."

Bamberg County received the latest funding through FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.  According to information from FEMA, the $322.8 million competitive grant program is "an important component of the larger, coordinated effort to strengthen the nation’s overall level of preparedness and ability to respond to fire and related hazards."

Paul Eubanks, Bamberg County Fire Coordinator said, "This purchase will put us in a much better position to provide basic fire protection and emergency response to the citizens of Bamberg County. We have trucks in service now that are over forty years ago and are a maintenance problem. The safety of our firefighters must be a high priority and they need reliable equipment to ensure they can safely serve Bamberg County residents."

Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

The primary goal of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations. For more information about FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, visit www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters.

"Words can’t express how much this means to the officers and members of the Hunters Chapel Volunteer Fire Department," said Richard Rentz, the department’s chief. "Our firefighters put their lives at risk every day to keep us safe and these grant funds will allow us to improve our emergency response and better serve our community."

"Bamberg County is committed to protecting and serving our residents. Our fire service is mostly supported by volunteers who donate their time to help others. These selfless individuals need adequate equipment to do their job of protecting life and property from fire damage," said Larry Haynes, a member of Bamberg County Council. "County Council commends the hard work of our team of employees and community stakeholders in securing this funding to replace the aging and unreliable vehicles currently used by Bamberg County firefighters. Our commitment to public safety will save lives and transform communities."

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For more information on this press release, email info@bambergcounty.sc.gov.