Georgia EMS secures $7119 for trauma equipment via annual grant

The Tift County Board of Commissioners held a work session on January 7, 2025, focusing on several key agenda items, including grant applications and infrastructure projects.

The meeting commenced with a discussion led by Mister Fowler regarding the 2025 Georgia Trauma Commission and Equipment Grant. This annual grant allocates funds based on the number of licensed services and staffed trucks in each county. Tift County has been allocated $7,119.94, which will be used to purchase trauma arrest bags, suction units, and advanced airway management equipment for training purposes. The total cost exceeds the grant amount by $133.49, which has been budgeted for approval.

Next, the commissioners addressed a subrecipient agreement with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) for reimbursement related to Tropical Storm Debbie. Most of the project has been completed, and signing this agreement is necessary to secure funding.

The board then reviewed another subrecipient agreement with GEMA for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. This long-term project, which is expected to conclude in late 2027, requires data collection for the mitigation plan update, typically conducted by a contractor.

The meeting also included a discussion on the Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMI) application. The county is progressing on the Red Oak Road bridge and paving project, with a pre-bid meeting scheduled. The commissioners plan to combine the 2024 and 2025 projects, which will include resurfacing additional roads in poor condition. The total estimated cost for these projects is around $1.7 million, with the county responsible for a 10% match.

The session concluded with informal remarks, and the commissioners expressed their gratitude for the discussions held. The board will continue to move forward with the outlined projects and grant applications in the coming months.