North Charleston gets grant to help buy fireboat

North Charleston has been awarded a federal Department of Homeland Security grant to buy a fireboat needed to combat waterfront disasters and respond to potential terror threats around the port.

The grant is for $632,000 but requires a city match of about $210,000. The award covers funds to purchase a 30-foot, fully equipped fireboat, equipment and training.

Charleston area waterfront communities have various marine-response capabilities. But in the event of a disaster or waterfront fire, North Charleston officials say a dedicated fireboat would be a key responder, given the city’s distance up the Cooper River from the next line of help.

The training cost will cover teaching land-based fire-fighters how to control fires on water. City Council gave preliminary approval to the grant this week.