4 Maryland Departments Get Assistance To Firefighters Grants
Release Date: October 24, 2003
Release Number: R3-03-105
Philadelphia, PA -- Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced 156 grants to fire departments throughout the United States in the 19th round of the 2003 Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.
The grants ultimately will total approximately 7,000 awards worth $750 million in direct assistance to firefighters. Included in the announcement of this latest round were awards for four communities in Maryland, including grants to Bel Air, Leonardtown, Frostburg and Monkton.
"President Bush's support of first responders is unprecedented, as evidence through this grant program which puts resources directly into our nation's fire departments and the communities they serve," said Brown. "As I told the International Association of Fire Chiefs last week, the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA are committed to our first responders and will continue providing critical financial support to this courageous and dedicated group. I'd also like to remind departments that the 2003 Fire Prevention and Safety Grant application period is currently open."
This 19th round of grants provides nearly $21 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.
Grants have been made available to the following fire departments in Maryland:
- Bel Air Volunteer Fire Co., Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety, $96,600
- Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Dept., Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety, $192,330
- Frostburg Fire Department No.1, Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety, $135,189
- Hereford Volunteer Fire Co. in Monkton, Firefighting Vehicle, $225,000
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), administers the Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program.
A list of all current award recipients announced to date is posted on the USFA web site at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/grants.
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: Friday, 24-Oct-2003 14:31:29