Federal Officials Deliver $89,856 To Chester Fire Department 

Release Date: October 9, 2003
Release Number: R3-03-102

Chester, PA -- The City of Chester Fire Department today marked National Fire Prevention Week by accepting a grant for $89,856 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.

U.S. Rep. Robert A. Brady announced the grant and presented Chester Fire Commissioner James Johnson a symbolic check.

"The funding represents the important role the federal government can play to help firefighters better protect their communities and themselves," Congressman Brady said. "These firefighters are our frontline defense for home fire safety and national defense."

The Chester Fire Department grant is for a trailer and audiovisual equipment to bring hands-on fire prevention training to schools, daycare facility and community events.

"Our target audience for fire prevention, safety and public awareness demonstration training is children 14 and under, but the program reaches all residents of the City of Chester," Johnson said.
"Receiving the grant is especially important this week - National Fire Prevention Week - when we urge everyone to install and maintain smoke alarms, develop and practice a home fire escape plan, and once out of a burning building, stay out."

Under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, the cost is shared. The City of Chester is committed to paying 10 percent, or $9,8840 of the total project cost of $99,840. This is the third time the Chester Fire Department has received funding from the program. Prior awards were for breathing apparatus and training.

The presentation was done at Fire Station 82 on 14th Street in the City of Chester. Also participating were Chester Mayor Wendell Butler Jr., Director of Public Safety Monir Z. Ahmed and Grants Coordinator Katie Rodriguez. Region III Fire Program Specialist Lori Bainbridge represented FEMA.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant program assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments throughout the United States. Information on the grants is posted on the USFA web site at http://www.usfa.fema.gov. To date, 322 grants totaling more than $25 million have been awarded to Pennsylvania fire departments from the 2003 funding.

On March 1, 2003, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (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: Friday, 10-Oct-2003 09:16:34