Osceola County Fire Rescue & EMS received a $1 million Department of Homeland Security grant to help Officers and Chief Officers receive training and certification that measure standard knowledge and skills to best serve the public, the county announced Thursday.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) award will provide funding for Fire Officer I and Fire Officer II classes for Battalion Chiefs, Lieutenants, and Engineers who currently do not hold these certifications. The grant request was for the fees associated with tuition, books, state certification, the testing center cost and for some backfill costs.
The rescue unit received letters of support from Senator Marco Rubio and Congressman Darren Soto.
“I am thrilled that I was able to assist Osceola County Fire Rescue in securing this $1 million grant to help our fast-growing county protect and save lives,” said Soto, through a county release.