Tennessee American Water has awarded, through its Firefighting Support Grant program, over $15,000 to 16 fire departments in the region, including Walker, Catoosa and Dade Counties in Georgia and Hamilton, Marion, and Sequatchie Counties in Tennessee. The grants provide supplemental funding to fire and emergency organizations supporting Tennessee American Water’s service areas.

Tennessee American Water’s Firefighting Support Grant Program covers a variety of fire department expenses associated with personal protective gear, communications equipment, firefighting tools, training, and fire prevention education.

The $1,000 grant received by Walker County Fire Rescue will be invested in hose straps to speed up the deployment of fire hoses when responded to an incident where access and terrain may cause issues for apparatus access.

“We know how important water is in protecting homes and businesses. We also understand resources for our local first responders can run short. We offer the firefighter grant program as a way to support first responders in a meaningful way.” said Grant Evitts, Tennessee American Water President. “The departments will utilize these funds to help keep our customers and communities safe in emergency situations.”

The Rossville Fire Department also received a Tennessee American Water Firefighting Support Grant to purchase pagers to alert firefighters of calls.