4 Virginia Fire Departments Get Assistance To Firefighters Grants
Release Date: December 19, 2003
Release Number: R3-03-151
PHILADELPHIA, Pa -- Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced 484 grants to fire departments throughout the United States in the 27th round of the 2003 Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.
The announcement included four awards totaling $480,558 for the Virginia communities of Petersburg, Danville, Lovingston and Centreville.
“Putting these funds directly into fire departments across the country has enabled our first responders to receive the training and equipment necessary to save lives and property when threatened by any hazard,” said Brown. “President Bush, Secretary Ridge and I wish our nation’s first responders a safe and happy holiday. We thank these brave men and women for their service over the past year, and will remain steadfast in our commitment to support America’s firefighters in 2004.”
This 27th round of grants provides more than $46.8 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. Since June, nearly 7,300 fire departments have received more than $564 million to support their role as first responders.
Grants were announced this week to the following fire departments in Virginia:
- Petersburg Fire, Rescue & Emergency Services, Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety, $162,918
- City of Danville Fire Dept., Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety, $213,260
- Lovingston Volunteer Fire Dept., Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety, $88,198
- Centreville Volunteer Fire Dept., Fire Prevention, $16,182
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), administers the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. A list of all award recipients 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 the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Friday, 19-Dec-2003 11:39:35