Polk County Fire Rescue Gets Almost $550k in Federal Funds

The Polk County Fire Rescue is getting almost $550,000 in a federal grant, U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, D-Fla., announced this week.

Soto paired up with two Republicans in the Florida delegation–U.S. Reps. Tom Rooney and Dennis Ross–to request federal funds for the Polk County Fire Rescue. He announced on Wednesdat that they are getting $547,842 in a federal grant. The money comes in an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), a program of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency with the help of the U.S. Fire Administration. 

 “First responders are essential to our safety and day after day put their lives on the line to protect our community,” Soto said on Wednesday. “I am proud that Polk County will receive over half a million dollars from DHS to further strengthen its operations and safety projects. These funds help ensure our brave firefighters are well-equipped with the resources needed to continue saving lives in our community.”

In their letter, Rooney, Ross and Soto pointed to “the uptick in forest fires and drought conditions in the county as the need for these funds” and insisted Polk County need the funds.

“Funds for the AFG program are intended to directly support local fire departments, nonaffiliated Emergency Medical Services (EMS) organizations, and state fire training academies. For Polk County’s Fire Rescue, the funds will support professional training, wellness and fitness programs equipment, personal protective equipment, and supplies that support firefighting and safety,” Soto’s office noted.

Rooney and Ross are not running for reelection this year. Soto scored a big victory at the end of last month when he routed former U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., in the primary. In the general election, Soto faces Navy veteran and engineer Wayne Liebnitzky. They met in 2016 when Soto beat Liebnitzky by 15 percent and around 50,000 votes. The district is solidly Democratic.