AUGUSTA, Ga. — Augusta firefighters will soon have access to screenings that look for early signs of cancer and to yearly confidential mental health visits, paid for largely by a federal grant of just over $305,000 awarded to the Augusta Fire Department.
The department landed $305,405.45 from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, which the Federal Emergency Management Agency runs under the Department of Homeland Security. The award comes from the program’s fiscal year 2025 round. Counting the department’s own share, the two wellness efforts it covers add up to $335,946.
The larger piece, $229,746, pays for blood-based screening meant to flag possible warning signals tied to more than 50 kinds of cancer. Firefighters whose results raise concerns will be routed to local health care providers for follow-up care.
The remaining $106,200 sets up an annual check-in for each firefighter with a licensed clinician who has experience working with public safety crews. Those visits are confidential, and firefighters can be referred for further care when needed.
Fire Chief Antonio Burden has framed the effort as a way to catch health problems early for crews that regularly work in smoke and other hazards most residents never face, and to add structured, long-term support to the department’s wellness program.
Federal officials released the list of 2025 grant winners nationwide on Sept. 30. The program dates to 2001, and its stated goal is to cover what local departments need for firefighting and emergency response, from gear and trucks to training.
Filed under: Augusta GA Health News
