TFD to receive grant for new vehicle

Staff Report

The City of Tallassee Fire Department has awarded a federal grant for a new vehicle. The notification came from the FY 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.

"This has been approved in the amount of $362,857.14 in federal funding," said TFD chief Eric Jones. "As a condition of this grant, we are required to contribute non-federal funds equal to or greater than 5 percent of the federal funds awarded, or $18,142.86 for a total approved budget of $381,000."

On Sept.12, the Tallassee City Council voted unanimously to accept the award.

"The Tallassee Fire Department will form a truck committee to plan and prepare specifications to present to the fire department and the city based on our needs and those of our citizens we provide fire and rescue services," said Jones. "We will make a recommendation to the council in the coming months for the purchase of this new apparatus from a responsible vendor. We anticipate the process to take 12-18 months to receive this much needed fire truck.

"The grant award is for a new mini-pumper to replace our brush truck and provide firefighting capabilities in hard to access areas of our response area. This new apparatus will enable firefighters to respond safely and effectively to rescue calls, wildland fires, brush fires, interface fires, and in areas where we cannot maneuver our current fleet of firefighting vehicles."