Several southeast MO emergency services receiving grants

(KBSI) – Dozens of grants totalling $5 million will go to law enforcement, fire service and EMS providers in class three counties across the state for new equipment to allow first responders to better respond to emergencies and provide additional protection as they do their jobs.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson announced that the Missouri Department of Public Safety approved 70 grants totaling $5 million.

Grant funded equipment includes patrol vehicles, mobile data terminals, body cameras, firefighter turnout gear, extrication equipment, ambulances, cardiac monitors, pediatric resuscitation devices, and emergency communications radios.

“Across our state, Missouri first responders bravely respond to emergencies, including floods, droughts, train derailments, traffic accidents, and beyond. In times of crisis, we call on them, and we could not be prouder,” said Governor Parson.

“These grants will provide vitally important equipment to help law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel do their jobs more effectively and make our Missouri communities safer.” He says.

“Missouri first responders rush toward danger no matter the limitations or age of their equipment,” said Missouri Department of Public Safety Director Sandy Karsten.

“The $5 million in funding we’re providing means more Missourians facing life-threatening emergencies will be met by responders using up-to-date equipment, trained with modern devices, and using interoperable radios that make for better communications. This funding will make a difference in communities across the state.”

Grants were awarded as follows:

• Fire Safety: A total of 35 fire service agencies have been approved to receive a total of over $1,380,000 for equipment, including self-contained breathing apparatus and cylinders, thermal imaging cameras, turnout gear, extrication equipment, firefighting tanker trucks, support vehicles, and interoperable radios.
• EMS: A total of 18 emergency medical service providers have been approved to receive a total of over $2,880,000 for equipment, including ambulances, ambulance remounts, automatic compression devices, video laryngoscopes, cardiac monitors, pediatric resuscitation devices, training mannequins, laptops, and emergency communications radios.
• Law Enforcement: A total of 17 law enforcement agencies have been approved to receive a total of over $735,000 for equipment, including patrol vehicles, mobile data terminals, body cameras, prisoner transport cages, and interoperable communications radios.

Tap here to view the complete list of recipients and grants amounts.

• Oran Protection District is receiving, $8,855.83.
• Poplar Bluff Fire Department $ 23,818.50.
• Scott City, Fire Department $ 26,512.27.
• Stoddard County, Ambulance District $ 218,550.50.
• Stoddard County, Sheriff’s Office $ 91,800.00.
• Buffalo, Police Department $ 25,536.50.

Funding for this public safety grant is part of Governor Parson’s plan for Missouri’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and was made possible through Missouri House Bill 20 Section 20.150.

The Missouri Department of Public Safety is the grant administrator.

Eligible grant expenditures include equipment and supplies.

A 50% local match is required (for example, if the total cost of a project were $40,000, the local recipient would be responsible for $20,000 and the ARPA share would be $20,000).

A local agency’s match may be retroactive to March 2020.

Local ARPA grant funds may be utilized for the local match.

Tap here to view a map of Missouri counties by classification.