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missouri-american-water-announces-2021-firefighter-grant-program

Missouri American Water announces 2021 Firefighter Grant Program

ST. LOUIS, MO. (August 9, 2021) – Missouri American Water is accepting applications for its 2021 Firefighter Grant Program through August 30, 2021 to provide financial assistance to fire and emergency organizations serving communities within the water utility’s service areas.

Grants of up to $1,200 will be considered to cover the costs of necessary firefighting tools, personal protective gear, training and more.

"Our partnership with Missouri American Water is paramount to provide fire protection to St. Louis County," said Chief Keith Goldstein of North County Fire & Rescue Fire Protection District. "The Firefighter Grant Program allows us to get critical gear and offer training opportunities for our first responders."

"We have been able to train Firemen how to teach CPR classes, how to properly install car seats, and to educate our community on basic fire prevention and safety. So, our partnership with Missouri American Water has been paramount to our success in these endeavors," said Berkeley Fire Chief James Linhardt

According to Debbie Dewey, president of Missouri American Water, the Firefighter Grant Program is an excellent opportunity for the company to support fire protection efforts across the state. She said, “As the water provider for one in four Missourians, we understand the critical roles fire protection and emergency first response play to keep our communities safe. Providing critical equipment and training for firefighters is equally as important as keeping clean, safe and reliable water flowing to customers.”

Last year, Warrensburg’s fire department used grant funding to purchase nozzles while Branson’s fire department used the funding to provide ultraviolet HVAC systems to disinfect fire apparatuses.

“Thank you so much to [Missouri American Water’s] grants to the Warrensburg Fire Department,” said Deputy Fire Chief Doyle Oxley, of the Warrensburg Fire Department.

Only uniformed professional and volunteer fire departments serving Missouri American Water’s service territory are eligible to receive funding. Fire departments-districts are eligible for one grant per calendar year.

Grants will be considered to cover the costs associated with the following:

  • Personal protective gear
  • Communications equipment
  • Firefighting tools
  • Water handling equipment
  • Training and related activities/materials used to support community fire protection
  • Reimbursement for specific fire training classes, including training manuals and workbooks

 

Fire departments should send a letter of application postmarked by August 30, 2021 with the following information:

  • Description of the organization(s) seeking support
  • Overview of specific project to be funded and grant amount requested
  • Community problem/challenges that the project will address
  • Timeframe for implementation of project
  • Summary of other sources being approached for support of project
  • Project budget

 

Applications can be emailed to Megan Watson, external affairs specialist, at megan.watson@amwater.com

Missouri American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 1.5 million people. For more information, visit www.missouriamwater.com and follow Missouri American Water on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

About American Water

With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to 15 million people in 46 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable, and reliable water services to our customers to help make sure we keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit amwater.com and follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.


Media Contacts

Samantha Williams

Manager, External Affairs

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Samantha.Williams@amwater.com