Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Grants topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lexington County accepts $302,316 crisis‑intervention grant and $35,000 RMAT funding for EMS readiness
Summary
Council accepted a $302,316 state grant to fund a crisis intervention team and a $35,000 Homeland Security RMAT grant to support EMS mobilization and shelter equipment; both grants require no county match and council established budgets.
The Lexington County Council voted Dec. 9 to accept two grants aimed at strengthening public safety response.
The council approved a state crisis intervention team grant for $302,316 for the grant year Oct. 1, 2025–Sept. 1, 2026. As reported by the justice committee, the award comes from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (Office of Highway Safety and Justice Assistance) and will fund salary, fringes, operating costs and contracted services to partner with the South Carolina Department of Mental Health. Committee members said the program will provide rapid assessment and stabilization to individuals in crisis and offer alternatives to arrest or emergency custody. The meeting record shows the committee moved to recommend full‑council acceptance, and the council approved the award by roll call.
The council also approved acceptance of a $35,000 Homeland Security Midlands Regional Medical Assistance Team (RMAT) grant for Lexington County EMS. According to the committee report, the federal funds will be used to execute a large‑scale mobilization drill to test team capabilities and to purchase a modern shelter solution to replace aging equipment; no county match is required.
Budget action: County staff presented budget amendment resolutions to establish budgets for both awards (the $302,316 crisis‑intervention grant and the $35,000 RMAT award); council voted to establish the funds in the county budget.
Why it matters: The crisis intervention funding supports a coordinated law‑enforcement and behavioral‑health response designed to divert individuals in crisis to appropriate care. The RMAT funding supports EMS readiness for mass‑casualty or large‑scale incidents and upgrades to sheltering equipment used in deployments.
What’s next: The council approved acceptance and budget establishment; staff will execute grant acceptance paperwork and proceed with contract and procurement steps to implement the programs.
