The Town of Fort Mill is pleased to announce it has been awarded a $4,223,398 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This funding will enable the Town to hire 15 new firefighters and staff a third fire station, ensuring a safer community and improved response capabilities.
The grant will cover salaries and benefits for these new firefighters for the next three years, beginning in March 2025. While this funding bolsters emergency response in a targeted part of the community, it will increase response capabilities across the Town for larger incidents.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support from FEMA, and for Fort Mill Town Council’s willingness to apply for this competitive grant,” said Fort Mill Fire Chief Chipper Wilkerson. “We are one of 191 departments nationwide and one of six in South Carolina that received grant funding. This grant will strengthen our team and enhance our response to emergencies. More firefighters mean quicker response times, better safety for our community, and improved working conditions for our staff.”
Fort Mill Mayor Guynn Savage said the investment is crucial as the Town continues its focus on public safety and ensuring that the needs for fire and emergency services are met. The additional staff, she said, will enhance the fire department’s operational capacity and guarantee the Town provides high-quality services to residents, businesses and visitors.
“Historically, a fire department dispatched help in the event of a fire. In today's world, a fire department is a critical first responder to all emergencies. This grant allows our Fire Department to expand upon the excellent standards that they set daily in protecting and helping the residents of Fort Mill,” Savage said. “We are very proud of their achievement and welcome this recognition of their success.”
For more information about the SAFER Grant, please visit https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/safer or contact Wilkerson at (803) 547-5511.