Gov. Brian Kemp has announced a grant program that will provide a one-time $1,000 supplement to the state’s law enforcement officers and first responders, including EMS and firefighters.
The Law Enforcement and First Responder grant program will be funded with money from the American Rescue Plan Act. It is available for sworn law enforcement personnel and first responders, including emergency medical technicians and paramedics, fish and game wardens, career and volunteer firefighters and 9-1-1 communications workers.
“We’re encouraging local governments, public safety officials and first responders to visit the Office of Planning and Budget’s grant funding opportunities website for more information for how to apply to receive and distribute these funds,” Kemp said. “Applications are going to be accepted from Oct. 1, 2021, through Dec. 31, 2021.”
Chief Janet Moon of the Peachtree City Police Department said there have been 33 line of duty deaths in 2021 in Georgia and 28 of them have been COVID-19 related.
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“This pay supplement will allow first responders to replenish their supplies of PPE, hand sanitizers, cover costs associated with co-pays for COVID-19 testing, pay for unexpected child care-related expenses and a host of other costs related to this pandemic,” she said. “With the holidays coming up, this one-time payment may allow for someone receiving this funding to be the hero in their home; to make that purchase they thought maybe could not be made.”
Lt. David Bullard of Columbia County Fire Rescue, who is also president of the Georgia State Firefighters Association, said there are 14,000 career firefighters who are eligible for the $1,000 supplement and 10,000 volunteer firefighters who are eligible for a $300.00 stipend.
“With the pay bonus for career firefighters, we are grateful. This helps offsetting childcare costs due to working overtime and covering extra shifts and medical isolations costs,” Bullard said. “For the stipend to volunteer fire departments, we’re grateful Georgia recognizes we have a diverse state protected by both career and volunteer agencies.”
When applying for the grants, employers will be asked to provide payroll documentation showing the number of fulltime employees as of Aug. 2021. Applications can be found at this website beginning on Oct. 1.
The Office of Planning and Budget recommended authorizing up to $100 million to fund the pay supplements.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
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