The first public safety preparedness grant, in honor of the late Dep. Lena Nicole Marshall, was awarded to local police and fire departments.
Four Jackson County public safety agencies will be better prepared for an active shooter event, thanks to the Deputy Lena Nicole Marshall Preparedness Grant awarded on Nov. 8, 2024.
Jackson Trail Fire Department, Maysville Police Department, North Jackson Fire Department, and Plainview Fire Department were awarded a total of $8,447 to purchase equipment necessary to protect first responders and aid victims involved in an active shooter incident.
This was the first award of the public safety preparedness grant created by the West Jackson Fire District in honor of the late Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy Lena Nicole Marshall. Deputy Marshall suffered multiple gunshot wounds in the line of duty while responding to a domestic disturbance call, succumbing to her injuries three days later on Nov. 8, 2021. The tragedy rocked the Jackson County community and all responding public safety personnel.
The mission of “Lena’s Grant” is to better protect, strengthen and develop public safety personnel and their respective agencies. The grant is need-based and open to all fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and emergency services within Jackson County. The grant is funded by the WJFD and generous community donors.
On Nov. 8, Deputy Marshall’s family participated in a grant award ceremony at West Jackson Fire Department Station 1. Members of the awarded agencies, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and other local agencies attended the ceremony.
“I’d like to thank our fire board members for supporting us with the funding of this grant, and also the family of Dep. Marshall for allowing us to be a part of her legacy and her life,” Chief Ben Stephens said.
2024 Grant Awards:
· Jackson Trail Fire Department, $4,019, six ballistic vests, six ballistic helmets, six trauma triage kits
· Maysville Police Department, $2,300, six rifle plates, carriers, advanced first aid kits and mag holders
· North Jackson Fire Department, $1,400, four ballistic helmets, four ballistic plate sets
· Plainview Fire Department, $728, life safety response kit and equipment
For more information about the grant, please contact Chief Stephens.
The West Jackson Fire District was established in 1968 to provide fire protection for 30 square miles in western Jackson County, including portions of the cities of Braselton and Hoschton. The department’s two stations are staffed with full-time and part-time personnel, highly trained and ready to serve the community. Visit wjfd.org or follow West Jackson Fire Department on Facebook, Instagram and X to learn more.
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