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By Fred Guarino

The Lowndes Signal

The Fort Deposit Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded a $70,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to Jeremy Marvin, administrative fire chief.

He said the grant was applied for in 2017 and an award letter from Homeland Security was sent out on Aug. 31 2018.

Marvin said getting the competitive grant was a great accomplishment. He also said $29,500 will used for firefighter training including “Firefighter 1 certification, diver/operator training, hazmat operations, rapid Intervention, emergency medical responder, fire safety and survival and vehicle rescue.

He said. “The remaining $40,500 is to be allocated for equipment needed by the fire department and its firefighters.

Marvin said equipment that can be purchased with the funds include communications equipment, hand tools, thermal imaging cameras, a cascade system, electric/gas powered saws and tools, mobile data terminals, vehicle extrication equipment, scene lights, automatic external defibrillators and emergency medical equipment.

Marvin said, “Every dollar is needed for badly needed training and equipment upgrades.” And he said the department has one year from the award date to spend the money on the items.

He said, “The members of the Fort Deposit Fire Department are very excited for what is in store for them and for the opportunity that this federal assistance brings to Lowndes County, Fort Deposit and its citizens.

He said he worked hard to get the grant for the fire department and town of Fort Deposit.

And he said, “The Fort Deposit Fire Department is always looking to bring on volunteer firefighters who are willing to serve the community and the citizens that live there.”

He said anyone interested in joining should contact him, Andrew Adams or any of the department’s members.

Marvin is also a corporal/investigator with the criminal investigations unit and sex offender unit coordinator for the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office.