Charleston Fire Department Seeks Grants to Enhance Emergency Response Capabilities
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The Charleston fire Department (CFD) is seeking $116,000 in federal grant funding to bolster its Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team and Lowcountry Incident Management team,ensuring the department remains prepared for a range of emergencies,including increasingly frequent water-related incidents. The funding, if approved, will be used for critical equipment updates and specialized training.
Grant Funding Details
The CFD relies on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) to support these specialized teams. The HSGP provides financial assistance to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to strengthen thier preparedness for terrorist attacks, mass casualty events, and other natural disasters. https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness
The department is applying for two separate grants:
$71,000 for the Urban Search and Rescue Team: This funding will support the team’s 50 members, comprised of CFD personnel and firefighters from surrounding Lowcountry departments.
$45,000 for the Lowcountry Incident Management Team: This grant will focus on annual training and equipment upgrades for the team.
Focus on Water Rescue Capabilities
Charleston Fire Department Deputy Chief Jason Krusen emphasized the growing need for specialized water rescue equipment.”Now with the number of water-related calls, we’re starting to build up our water resources so when we go to a flood event, we have both our personal protective equipment and the equipment deployed to have our personnel safely enter a water environment,” Krusen stated. This reflects a broader trend of increasing flood risk in the Charleston area due to climate change and rising sea levels. https://www.charleston-sc.gov/departments/city-planning/resilience
Team Capabilities and Recent Deployments
The CFD’s USAR team is equipped to respond to a variety of high-risk incidents, including:
Collapsed structures
Water-related emergencies (flooding, swift water rescue)
Regional emergencies requiring specialized support
In 2024, the team deployed to assist communities in the Upstate of South Carolina following the impacts of Hurricane Helene. While details of Hurricane Helene are limited, this demonstrates the team’s regional response capabilities.
Funding Timeline
If the grant applications are successful, the CFD anticipates receiving the funds between October and September 2025. Following authorization from city officials, spending on new equipment and training is expected to begin in November 2025.
Key Takeaways
The Charleston Fire department is seeking $116,000 in FEMA grant funding.
Funds will be allocated to the Urban Search and Rescue Team and the Lowcountry Incident Management Team.
A key priority is upgrading water rescue equipment due to increasing flood risks in the Charleston area.
* The USAR team provides regional support during major emergencies.
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