The Missouri Department of Public Safety has approved 428 grants totaling over $6.3 million to law enforcement, fire service, and EMS providers across the state for new equipment, supplies, personnel, and training.
As part of the grant funding, public safety departments across the state will be able to purchase, among other things, new patrol vehicles, mobile data terminals, and emergency communications radios. The governor’s office confirmed that the maximum grant amount to each recipient was $20,000.
“Meeting with first responders and traveling to disaster scenes across the state, we know how essential it is that these devoted public servants have the essential equipment and training they need to do their jobs,” Governor Mike Parson said. “These grants mean law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel will be better equipped in performing their lifesaving work and protecting the public.”
Thus far, 106 law enforcement agencies have been approved to receive a total of over $1.6 million for equipment, including patrol vehicles, mobile data terminals, and investigative technology and software.
Additionally, 98 emergency medical service (EMS) providers have been approved to receive more than $1.6 million for equipment, including automatic compression devices, cardiac monitors, and emergency communications radios.
“This additional funding of more than $6.3 million can truly make a difference for local first responder agencies,” Missouri Department of Public Safety Director Sandy Karsten said. “Developing these new grants and then working with the hundreds of diverse applicants was a major accomplishment for our Department of Public Safety grants team. We greatly appreciate the team’s hard work and commitment.”
Grant funding came from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and was part of Governor Parson’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget plan. The governor’s office further noted that grant funding could be used on equipment, supplies, training/travel, personnel, and benefits. The grants also require a local match of 50 percent. However, local ARPA grant funds may be utilized for the local match.
