ATLANTA – State Representative Rhonda Burnough (D-Riverdale) applauds Governor Brian Kemp’s decision to use funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to provide $1,000 bonuses for law enforcement officials and first responders in Georgia.
“Clayton County’s first responders spend every day out on the streets keeping our residents safe,” said Rep. Burnough. “I am glad the governor recognized the importance of rewarding our first responders who continue to serve their cities, counties and state nearly two years into this pandemic. Law enforcement and first responder leaders in Clayton County should apply for this grant funding to ensure that we can retain these public servants as they face burnout from the pandemic.”
The Law Enforcement and First Responder Supplement grant program will provide a $1,000 one-time pay supplement for full-time public safety officers and first responders, including law enforcement officers, emergency medical technicians and firefighters. Additionally, this program will also provide a $300 stipend for volunteer and part-time first responders and firefighters across the state. Employers of first responders will be responsible for applying for the grant program. Applications will be accepted starting on October 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021.
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics estimates that there are approximately 80,790 Georgians employed in these first responder positions as of 2020. The Office of Planning and Budget recommends authorizing up to $100 million in Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSFRF) to provide the pay supplement for these first responders.
For more information on how to apply, receive and distribute these funds, please visit the Office of Planning and Budget’s grant funding opportunities website here.
Representative Rhonda Burnough represents the citizens of District 77, which includes portions of Clayton County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and currently serves on the Special Committee on Election Integrity and the Economic Development & Tourism, Governmental Affairs, Higher Education and Small Business Development committees.
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