Metro Atlanta county accepts grants to fund new, better equipment for fire department

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners approved the acceptance of grants to purchase better equipment for the fire department.

The board approved taking the grant funding in on Oct. 6.

Among the upgrades to be funded, Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services will get upgrades for their technical rescue team through a $47,600 award from the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency.

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According to the county, the funding will replace tools and equipment that are more than 20 years old.

“The new equipment will improve firefighter safety, increase reliability and ensure the team remains prepared to respond effectively to rescue emergencies both locally and across the state. The grant is 100% state-funded with no County match required,” the county said in a statement.

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Gwinnett Fire will also have new trauma care equipment thanks to a $58,739 grant reimbursement from the Georgia Trauma Commission.

County officials said the funding will cover EZ-IO tools and needs, for rapid delivery of medication and fluids to trauma patients when IV access isn’t possible.

Like the fire equipment grant award, the county said the trauma care funds are 100% from state allocations and do not require the county to match the amount.

Other grant awards taken in by the county include funding for a new roundabout, continued management of the finances for the Atlanta-Carolinas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program and new path installation at Commerce Avenue to better let pedestrians get to McDaniel Farm Park.

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