FROM SCOTT NINESLING
PINE LEVEL FIRE DEPARTMENT
Pine Level – The Pine Level Fire Department (PLFD) received notices
during the months of July and August that it would be the recipient of (3) FEMA grants. The first
award was from FEMA’s COVID supplemental protective equipment grant program. The second
was a vehicle award from FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) program and the third is a
recruitment and retention award from FEMA’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency
Response (SAFER) program.
For the COVID supplemental grant, the PLFD was awarded $22,595.24 to purchase personal
protective equipment for emergency response personnel and has a one-year performance period.
This equipment includes masks, gowns and face shields. The PLFD is responsible for matching
funds in the amount of $1,129.76.
The second notification received was for an award of $428,571.43 for engineering, design and
construction of a new Pumper/Tanker apparatus and has a one-year performance period. This award
will permit the PLFD to retire 2 existing pieces of equipment from its fleet and consolidate
operational performance into a single vehicle. The PLFD is responsible for matching funds in the
amount of $21,428.57 for a total of $450,000 in available funds to obtain the new apparatus.
The final notification received was for an award of $331,400.00 to support recruitment and
retention of volunteers activities for the PLFD and has a 4 year performance period. This award
will permit the PLFD to offer performance awards, offer medical exams to new members as well
as equip and train new members. Perhaps the most significant line item in this award will be the
availability of $50,000 a year in available education scholarships to help recruit and retain
personnel. There are no matching funds requirements for SAFER awards.
