McCall Volunteer Fire Department was one of 40 fire departments that was awarded Georgia-Pacific Bucket Brigade grants this year. The department will receive $10,000 to help fund the purchase of two self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units for their all-volunteer department. 

“Local firefighters play a significant role in the safety and well-being of our communities,” said Brewton Mill Manager Jeff Joyce. “Many fire departments face tremendous challenges in raising much needed dollars for life-saving gear and equipment. The Bucket Brigade grant helps to ease that burden. We’re proud to be able to support volunteer fire departments like the McCall Volunteer Fire Department and those who put their personal safety at risk to help protect our communities and neighbors.”

The Bucket Brigade program awarded $188,400 in grants to departments this year for equipment critical to firefighters’ safety. Since the program began in 2006, Georgia-Pacific has given more than $2.2 million in cash and educational materials to 287 fire departments that serve the company’s facility communities across the country.

“Receiving the funds to purchase these state-of-the-art SCBA ‘Air-Packs’ through the GP Bucket Brigade enables McCall firefighters to work alongside firefighters from adjoining municipalities when responding to structure fires and hazardous materials incidents,” said McCall VFD Chief Charles Jackson.

Grants are based on need and are funded by the Georgia-Pacific Foundation and local Georgia-Pacific facilities. Funds are typically used to purchase new protective clothing and replace items such as damaged safety gear and aging equipment.

Through the program, Georgia-Pacific also gives all grant applicants free memberships to The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), which provides access to tools, resources, programs and advocacy for first-responders across the nation.