Gwinnett Police, Fire Departments Get $80K in Federal Grants

Gwinnett County’s fire and police departments will receive around $80,000 in federal Homeland Security grants.

County commissioners accepted the funds on Tuesday. GEMA administers the grants that support public safety agencies.

Gwinnett Police’s hazardous devices unit will receive $59,000 of explosives detection equipment and $6,000 for supplies.

Gwinnett Fire will receive $15,000 for replacement equipment on its search-and-rescue vehicle, used by trained firefighters in emergency situations like tornado response, building collapses, cave-ins and confined space or high-angle rescues.

Additionally, Gwinnett Fire received a Gwinnett Medical Center grant for $7,531 for 20 Physio-Control LIFENET software licenses, adding to 80 donated in 2011. The software allows emergency crews to transmit medical data while en route to the hospital.

Commissioners also acknowledged $6,153 in donations given to the animal shelter for vaccinations, heartworm tests, supplies and adoption events.