Grant for DeKalb County Fire Department Will Help Lower Local Homeowner Insurance Rates

March 3, 2010, DOWELLTOWN – Congressman Bart Gordon announced the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program will award $100,000 to the DeKalb County Fire Department for new firefighting equipment, which will help improve the county’s fire safety ratings and lower homeowner insurance premiums.

“Every day, countless lives are saved by the courageous efforts of Tennessee’s firefighters,” Gordon said. “Programs like the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program ensure our first responders have the equipment to work as quickly and safely as possible.”

The DeKalb County Fire Department will put the funds toward the purchase of new 1,000-foot hoses to improve the department’s ability to reach houses set far back from hydrants. The funding will also allow the department to purchase new nozzles and hand tools.

The new package of equipment will help the county move toward lowering homeowner insurance premiums for DeKalb residents by improving its grade with the Insurance Services Office, which evaluates fire protection levels, according to County Fire Chief Donny Green. 

“We’re very appreciative of Congressman Gordon’s help. He’s visited us at our department and come to our functions, and his support over the years has meant a lot,” Green said. “Without this funding, we wouldn’t be able to make these improvements and lower premiums for DeKalb County homeowners. With the economy being like it is, every little bit helps.”

Gordon has been a strong supporter of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, which has awarded more than 1,300 grants to Tennessee first responders since 2000, totaling more than $108 million. In November, Gordon, chairman of the House Committee on Science and Technology, helped to pass the Fire Grants Reauthorization Act, which strengthens the AFG program and makes it more accessible to stations and departments suffering economic hardship.