BULLOCK COUNTY, Ala. — Over the last two years, 53% of the Mid-South RC&D Council’s General Fund Budget has been used to support local first responder agencies, a majority of which were volunteer fire departments. Come April 1, 2025, the Mid-South RC&D Council will open its FY 2026 Grant Cycle, creating an opportunity for important community organizations to receive financial support.
“Mid-South works with eligible organizations like local nonprofits, emergency services, and schools, allowing us to have a broad impact in our service area,” said Katie Smith, Mid-South RC&D Council Communications Specialist. “At our core, we’re focused on meeting community needs. That’s why we believe in strengthening the protection and safety responses provided to the citizens of Alabama.”
A total of $611,899 was spread across Autauga, Bullock, Butler, Elmore, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, and Montgomery counties by the Mid-South RC&D Council during FY 2024 and FY 2025. Volunteer Fire Departments and other emergency service agencies can use this as a financial opportunity to receive funds for needed materials and equipment.
“Usually with a volunteer fire department, you have to do fundraisers or seek out grants,” said Union Springs Volunteer Fire Department Chief Rob Cameron. “Now those grants can come from people like Mid-South RC&D or, mainly on big-ticket items, you’ll have to go with a FEMA grant, [which] is a highly competitive grant…
“You have to show a need, and you also have to have the call volume [to get a federal grant], but now the volunteer fire departments have to compete for the same money from the same pool that paid fire departments have to. So, that hurts us even worse because a paid fire department will have more runs and meet certain criteria that other departments might not.”
Basic fire equipment can cost several thousand dollars per person depending on the department’s individual needs. For example, the fire protective equipment worn as they answer calls can cost between $5,000 – $7,000 per person, but that only scratches the surface of equipment needed for volunteer fire departments to work efficiently and safely.
The Mid-South RC&D Council wants to continue to work as a financial resource to help local volunteer fire departments and other emergency service agencies in Bullock County secure needed funds. Many of Bullock County’s volunteer fire departments have received grants from the Mid-South RC&D Council in the past, including Union Springs, Fitzpatrick, Almeria, and Smuteye. If there are any questions about the FY 2026 Grant Cycle, please call Mid-South by dialing (334) 356-1855. The Mid-South RC&D Council works with IRS certified 501(C)3 nonprofits, unit/Subunit of governments, or schools in Autauga, Bullock, Butler, Elmore, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, and Montgomery counties.
