Dade County to Purchase Two New Ambulances and Advanced Lifesaving Equipment Through USDA Grant and SPLOST Partnership
TRENTON, GA — Dade County Government announced Thursday that it will purchase two new ambulances and advanced lifesaving equipment to strengthen emergency medical services and enhance countywide emergency response capabilities.
The project is being funded through a combination of federal grant dollars and local Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds, representing a total investment of more than $826,000 in public safety.
According to county officials, Dade County received a $406,000 grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Community Facilities Grant Program using Congressionally Directed Spending funds. The county will contribute an additional $420,724.50 through SPLOST funding approved by the Dade County Board of Commissioners.
The funding will be used to purchase two new ambulances, along with critical lifesaving equipment including two LIFEPAK 35 monitor/defibrillator units and two Power-LOAD stretcher loading systems.
County officials say approximately 77 percent of the project funding is dedicated to the ambulances, while about 20 percent will fund the advanced medical equipment.
The new LIFEPAK 35 units will provide Dade County EMS personnel with advanced cardiac monitoring and lifesaving technology designed to improve emergency treatment decisions and enhance patient outcomes during critical incidents.
Officials say the investment will improve equipment reliability, reduce service disruptions, and help maintain emergency medical coverage throughout Dade County’s 911 service area.
County Executive Don Townsend said the project demonstrates the value of partnerships at the federal, state, and local levels.
“This funding represents a meaningful investment in the safety and well-being of Dade County residents,” Townsend said. “We appreciate USDA Rural Development, Senator Jon Ossoff’s office, State Representative Mike Cameron, and our federal and state partners for supporting rural communities and helping ensure our emergency responders have the reliable equipment they need to serve the public effectively.”
Townsend also highlighted the role local voters played in making the project possible through the recent renewal of SPLOST.
“We are especially grateful to the citizens of Dade County for recently renewing SPLOST for another six-year term,” Townsend said. “That continued trust allows us to invest directly into public safety, infrastructure, and essential county services. These ambulances are an example of how SPLOST dollars help us maintain and enhance emergency response capabilities for our community.”
The county also recognized the efforts of Dade County Grant Writer Kathy Ragon, EMS Chief Kyle Gross, USDA Rural Development officials, Senator Jon Ossoff’s office, State Representative Mike Cameron, and the Dade County Board of Commissioners for their roles in securing and supporting the funding initiative.
The grant award was announced earlier this week by USDA Rural Development Georgia State Director Joyce White as part of the agency’s ongoing investment in rural emergency preparedness and public safety projects across Georgia.
County officials say the purchase will help ensure Dade County EMS personnel have the equipment and resources necessary to continue providing high-quality emergency medical care for residents and visitors throughout the county.
