Congressman Davis Announces $592,635 Grant for Kingston Fire Department February 27, 2008

Announcement comes on heels of last weeks visit and presentation of $611,000 appropriation by Davis for county emergency communications

WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Lincoln Davis today received notification from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that the Kingston Fire Department has been awarded a grant totaling $592,635 under the Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program, to be used for the hiring of firefighters.

"Between our announcement last week and news of this major grant, I couldn't be more pleased with the resources that will be flowing into the county to aid our first responders in protecting the well being of our community," Congressman Davis said.

Kingston Mayor Troy Beets was very pleased to hear the news of the grant, saying, "We are excited to receive this grant, which is a culmination of a lot of people's efforts and hard work. This is one of these things that will provide a higher level of protection for the residents of Kingston now and in the future."

Upon receiving news of the grant from Congressman Davis's office, the Chief of the Kingston Fire Department, William Gordon, said enthusiastically, "This will double the size of my department and this is going to provide a better service for the people of Kingston and the visitors we have come through our city."

The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant, awarded under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, is intended to support the hiring of firefighters and the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters. In Fiscal Year 2007, the Department of Homeland Security will award nearly $115 million directly to fire departments to expand the number of firefighters available to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public with respect to fire and all other hazards.

This major announcement comes on the heels of Congressman Davis's visit last week to Kingston for the announcement of a $611,000 appropriation he was able to secure in the 2008 Omnibus spending bill for Roane County emergency communications. County Mayor Mike Farmer, Sheriff Jack Stockton, Kingston Police Chief Jim Washam, Harriman Police Chief Randy Heidle, and various county and city officials were present for the announcement.