Tommy Freeman

LaFAYETTE, Ga. -- Space is crucial for firefighters, LaFayette Public Safety Director Tommy Freeman says.

Other services might be able to double up in office space or put extra gear in storage. But when a firefighter wakes up for a 3 a.m. call, every second counts, and cramped quarters can slow things down, he said.

Mr. Freeman wants more room at the town's existing safety building, which houses the police station and fire hall.

He's applying for a $1.4 million grant from the Department of Homeland Security to add 6,300 square feet to the building and remodel another 3,300 square feet.

"The federal government brought this to my attention," Mr. Freeman said. "I'm trying to get all of my ducks in a row and see if we qualify for a grant."

Homeland Security is doling out more than $200 million for structural improvements at emergency services locations across the country.

City Manager Johnnie Arnold said the city can't afford the improvements without grant money. City officials have committed $100,000 from local sales tax revenue as a match if the grant is approved.

Mr. Freeman, a policeman for nearly three decades, said Homeland Security money was a big boost for local law enforcement. Before that, smaller departments used COPS and Byrne grants to pay officers and buy equipment and depended on state or local money to improve facilities.

The money could help the town act early on a growing trend in fire departments, Mr. Arnold said.

He said national firefighting and insurance standards are requiring larger cities to have a certain number of firefighters on hand 24 hours a day. To be effective and meet response time expectations, they have to be able to move quickly, he said.

"Firemen pull 24-hour duty cycles and have to have facilities to live on site while on duty," Mr. Arnold said. "Everything has to be sitting, ready to go."

The application is due July 10, and Mr. Freeman said he won't know if the city has received the grant for at least two to three months.