$6.3 million in grants to MO law enforcement, fire service, EMS providers

(KBSI) – The Missouri Department of Public Safety approved 428 grants totaling more than $6.3 million to law enforcement, fire service, and EMS providers across the state for new equipment, supplies, personnel, and training.

The grant funded equipment includes patrol vehicles, mobile data terminals, firefighter turnout gear, extrication equipment, cardiac monitors, and emergency communications radios. Grants to additional law enforcement, fire service, and EMS agencies are still under review.

“Meeting with first responders and traveling to disaster scenes across the state, we know how essential it is that these devoted public servants have the essential equipment and training they need to do their jobs,” said Missouri Governor Mike Parson. “These grants mean law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel will be better equipped in performing their lifesaving work and protecting the public.”

“This additional funding of more than $6.3 million can truly make a difference for local first responder agencies,” Missouri Department of Public Safety Director Sandy Karsten said. “Developing these new grants and then working with the hundreds of diverse applicants was a major accomplishment for our Department of Public Safety grants team. We greatly appreciate the team’s hard work and commitment.”

The maximum grant amount to recipients was $20,000. Grants were awarded as follows:

• Law Enforcement: To date, a total of 106 law enforcement agencies have been approved to receive a total of over $1.6 million for equipment, including patrol vehicles, mobile data terminals, and investigative technology and software. Tap here to view the list of law enforcement grant recipients.
  • Recipients in the FOX23 News viewing area include:
    • Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office – $13,978
    • Dexter Police Department – $20,000
    • Fredericktown Police Department – $17,708
    • Madison County Sheriff’s Office – $4,250
    • Malden Police Department – $2,723.40
    • New Madrid County Sheriff’s Office – $15,779
    • Perry County Sheriff’s Office – $19,800
    • Van Buren Police Department – $2,792.50
• Fire Safety: To date, a total of 224 fire service agencies have been approved to receive a total of over $3 million for equipment, including turnout gear, extrication equipment, and thermal imaging cameras. Tap here to view the list of fire service grant recipients.
  • Recipients in the FOX23 News viewing area include:
    • Advance Fire Department – $18,742.55
    • Cape Girardeau Fire Department – $20,000
    • Dexter Fire Department – $20,000
    • Fredericktown Fire Department – $20,000
    • Fruitland Area Fire Protection District – $19,831.39
    • City of Kennett – Emergency Management Agency – $15,195
    • Lowndes Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department – $17,607.29
    • Malden Department of Public Safety – $4,678.50
    • Millersville Rural Fire Protection District – $20,000
    • Morehouse Fire Rescue – $19,940
    • New Madrid Fire Department – $11,430
    • Poplar Bluff Fire Department – $16,490.96
    • Scott City Fire Department – $9,981
    • Sedgewickville Fire Protection District – $5,027.95
• EMS: To date, a total of 98 emergency medical service providers have been approved to receive a total of over $1.6 million for equipment, including automatic compression devices, cardiac monitors, and emergency communications radios. Tap here to view the list of EMS grant recipients.
  • Recipients in the FOX23 News viewing area include:
    • Butler County EMS LLC – $20,000
    • Cape Girardeau Fire Department – $20,000
    • Gordonville Fire Protection District -$19,446.50
    • Mississippi County Ambulance District – $20,000
    • Ripley County Ambulance District – $20,000
    • Stoddard County Ambulance District – $19,360

The grant application has closed. However, the grant recipient lists will be updated periodically as additional grants are finalized.

The funding for the public safety grants is made available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). It was part of Governor Parson’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget plan. The Missouri Department of Public Safety is the grant administrator.

The grant money can be used for equipment, supplies, training/travel, personnel, and benefits. Some equipment may have specific requirements to be eligible for funding. The grants require a local match of 50 percent. For example, if the total cost of a project is $40,000, the local recipient would be responsible for $20,000 and the ARPA share of the grant would be $20,000. Local ARPA grant funds can be used for the local match.