DeKalb County Fire Department received a $59,469 grant from the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office to purchase water supply equipment for rural areas.
State Representative Michael Hale said the funding comes from a $26 million statewide grant fund established by the General Assembly.
“The equipment just keeps getting higher and higher,” Hale said, “And these grants help them get the equipment that’s needed. Every one of us, we don’t ever wanna have to make that call, but when we see those trucks come driving up the driveway, it means a lot.”
Hale said these grant funds ease the burden on tax payers. DeKalb County Fire Department Chief Donnie Green said the department is a 100 percent volunteer organization. Green said the grant money is specifically targeted toward water supply equipment for an ongoing rural water project.
“He’s been a champion for supporting this program that goes back to these volunteer fire departments,” Green said. “It’s really moved us along, and hopefully y’all will be able to see that in our next insurance review.”
Hale said nearly $800,000 from the state grant fund was distributed to departments across the Fortieth District. Hale said the grants are intended to ensure local taxpayers do not have to carry the full financial burden for necessary emergency equipment.
The fire department also received the 2025-2026 Elite Club Gold Level Training Award. Ben Wexler of the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy said the department completed 2,619 combined training hours to earn the certification.