Homeland Security Announces Fourth Round Of Grants To Alabama Fire Departments 

Alabama Receives $543,229 to Assist Local Fire Departments

Release Date: July 4, 2003
Release Number: R4-03-88

Atlanta, GA. -- Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced today the fourth round of what will ultimately total approximately 7,000 grants worth $750 million in direct assistance to firefighters from the 2003 Assistance to Firefighter Grant program.

Included in the announcement were awards for six communities in Alabama.

"As we celebrate our nation's independence, we're reminded of the role firefighters have always played in the safety of Americans. These fire grants fund this distinguished group of first responders, so they can continue protecting our nation's citizens from all hazards," said Under Secretary Brown. "I join President Bush and Secretary Ridge in applauding our nation's firefighters and wishing them a safe Independence Day."

This fourth round of grants provides more than $11 million to help local fire departments fund the purchase of firefighting equipment, fund firefighter health and safety programs, enhance emergency medical services programs, and conduct fire prevention and safety programs. In the past three weeks, over 650 departments have received more than $36 million dollars to support their role as first responders in the neighborhoods and communities they serve.

Grants have been made available to the following fire departments in Alabama:

Kennedy Fire Dept., Kennedy, $54,499, fire operations and firefighter safety.

Valley Head Volunteer Fire Dept., Valley Head, 43,200 fire operations and firefighter safety.

Hodges Rescue & Volunteer Fire Dept., $135,000, firefighting vehicle.

Winfield Volunteer Fire Dept., Winfield, $103,530, fire operations and firefighter safety.

Pleasant Site Fire Protection Authority, Red Bay, $135,000, firefighting vehicle.

Sawyerville Volunteer Fire Dept., Sawyerville, $72,000, firefighting vehicle.

The Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The program assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments throughout the United States. A list of all current award recipients announced to date is posted on the USFA web site at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/grants. Future grant recipients will be listed as awards are made.

Last Modified: Monday, 14-Jul-2003 09:48:47