From the Trussville staff reports
WASHINGTON – It has been announced by Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL) that that the Assistance to Firefighters Grant, from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will be shared by Trussville Fire, Center Point Fire, and Fultondale Fire. The $364.003 will be used to procure and implement the Polycom system which will be used for distance learning, training and education.
“The men and women in our fire departments put their lives on the line to ensure our families’ and loved ones’ safety,” said Congressman Palmer. “This grant will allow these fire departments to strengthen their ability to safely respond to fires and other related hazards. I am proud to support all of our first responders and the work they do.”
The Polycom system will allow for real time collaboration on fire and EMS training and will do so in such a way that personnel and resources will be able to remain in their coverage areas during the training. The system also facilitates virtual meetings between member organizations. In addition, Polycom is also compatible with current technology being used by the Alabama Fire College, which will facilitate the completion of the AFC certification courses.
Assistance to Firefighters grant funds are used to meet the needs of firefighters and emergency responders. Applications for grants are scrutinized, by peer review panels, to ensure that resource are allocated efficiently and to the proper recipients. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.