Homeland Security Announces Additional Grants To Texas Fire Departments
Texas Receives $438,941 to Assist Local Fire Departments
Release Date: July 18, 2003
Release Number: R6-03-56
Denton, TX - Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced today the sixth 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 nine communities in Texas, including grants to Brenham, Ennis, Hutchins, Lindale, Llano, Medina, Nacogdoches, Ranger, and Shelbyville.
"The outbreak of wildland fires over the past couple of weeks reminds us of the role our firefighters play in responding to emergencies," said Under Secretary Brown. "President Bush and Congress recognize the impact these grants make in first responders ability to continue saving lives and property. We appreciate this commitment."
This sixth round of grants provides more than $15 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 five weeks, over 1,000 departments have received grants totaling more than $63.5 million 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 Texas:
- Berlin, Mill Creek, and Zionsville Volunteer Fire Departments, Brenham - Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety ($25,380).
- Hutchins Fire Department, Hutchins - Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety ($50,706).
- Lake Nacogdoches Area Volunteer Fire Department, Nacogdoches - Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety ($53,820).
- Lindale Fire Department, Lindale - Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety ($89,100).
- Llano Volunteer Fire Department, Llano - Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety ($77,559).
- Medina Volunteer Fire Department, Medina - Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety ($38,602).
- Ranger Volunteer Fire Department, Ranger - Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety ($45,000).
- Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department, Shelbyville - Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety ($18,040).
- Telico Volunteer Fire Department, Ennis - Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety ($40,680).
The Assistance to 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.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Monday, 21-Jul-2003 09:49:24