WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Katie Britt recently secured a total of $426,000 in appropriations funding for the Coosa County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) through two Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills.
According to Senator Britt’s office, the funding includes $126,000 through the FY2026 Homeland Security Appropriations Act and an additional $300,000 through the FY2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Related Agencies Act.
The funding will support the purchase of a new generator and ambulance-related equipment and procurement for the Coosa County EMA headquarters. County officials have been working to strengthen the emergency management center to better coordinate planning and response efforts during severe weather events and other emergencies.
Coosa County EMA consists of a small paid staff supported by a network of volunteers who assist in emergency response operations throughout the county.
The funding announcement also highlighted ongoing concerns regarding emergency medical access in rural Alabama. According to the release, 64 of Alabama’s 67 counties are considered “ambulance deserts.” The Coosa County Commission currently operates a county-run ambulance service that serves both local residents and surrounding communities.
Senator Britt said the appropriations funding would help improve emergency preparedness and emergency medical response capabilities in Coosa County.
“I’m proud to have secured $426,000 in appropriations funding for the Coosa County EMA,” Senator Britt stated. “This commonsense investment will strengthen the county’s emergency preparedness by ensuring reliable, continuous power during disasters and will bolster their ambulance system so the county can respond more quickly to an ill or injured individual. When facing severe weather, serious medical attention, or other emergencies, this funding will allow Coosa County EMA to maintain critical operations, coordinate response efforts, and continue to deliver timely support to communities when it matters most.”
Coosa County EMA Deputy Director Les Sellers said the funding for a generator would help maintain operations during power outages and disaster response situations.
“We are a small, rural county and proud of our ability to protect our citizens and their property when natural, man-made or other disaster strikes,” Sellers said. “Loss of electric service is the single most crippling problem during any disaster. A generator for our Emergency Management Command Center will provide continuity of communications, command, control, conferencing and planning functions so as to better and more efficiently direct our response and recovery efforts.”
Sellers added that Senator Britt had worked closely with local emergency responders to understand the county’s needs.
“Senator Britt listens to her volunteer responders, truly understands their critical needs and has again stepped in to help,” Sellers said. “We, in Coosa County, feel truly blessed and greatly appreciate her efforts on our behalf.”
Coosa County Sheriff Michael Howell also expressed support for the funding, noting its impact on ambulance services throughout the county.
“On behalf of the Coosa County Sheriff’s Office and the citizens we proudly serve, I want to express our deepest gratitude for your support in securing the $300,000 grant that will help medical services for three ambulances currently serving in Coosa County,” Howell said.
Howell said the ambulances include a Coosa County Commission-sponsored unit in Rockford as well as volunteer ambulance units based in Goodwater and Kellyton.
“In rural communities like ours, emergency medical response is not just a matter of convenience — it is often the difference between life and death,” Howell stated. “This funding will strengthen our ability to answer critical calls, help reduce response times, and ensure that families across our county receive the emergency medical care they deserve when they need it most.”
He added that the funding would have a long-term impact on public safety and emergency response efforts in Coosa County.
“This grant represents more than funding — it represents hope, protection, and a stronger future for Coosa County,” Howell said.
