FEMA Distributes $110,050 To Oregon Fire Departments As National Preparedness Month Starts 

Release Date: August 10, 2007
Release Number: R10-07-056

» 2007 Region X News Releases

SALEM, Ore. -- Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $110,050 in Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) to local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations in the state of Oregon. Nationally, the fiscal year (FY) 2007 AFG awards, which will be distributed in phases, will ultimately provide over $490 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations throughout the country.

“This week marks the start of National Preparedness Month.  This is a time in which first responders, regional, state and national emergency management officials look to ensure all homes and business are prepared for any and all hazards they may face, both natural and man-made,” said U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade.  “One of the major efforts to further prepare our firefighters is through the AFG program which provides the much needed resources and assistance our community fire departments need to ensure they are prepared to respond to any and all emergencies.”

Susan Reinertson, FEMA Regional Administrator for Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington concurs. “The AFG program builds capacity and provides needed resources for our nation’s firefighters,” said Reinertson. “Announced against the backdrop of National Preparedness Month, this round of grants underscores our commitment to first responders and all-hazards preparedness.”

This week’s round of national fire grants total over $32 million distributed to departments throughout the ten (10) FEMA Regional offices, including grants to fire departments and emergency medical services organizations in Oregon for:

Hines Volunteer Fire Department

OR-02

Operations and Safety

$43,434

Huntington Volunteer Fire Department

OR-02

Operations and Safety

$43,816

Applegate Valley Fire District No. 9

OR-02

Operations and Safety

$22,800

AFG awards aim to enhance response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public with respect to fire and other hazards. The grants enable local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations to purchase or receive training, conduct first responder health and safety programs, and buy equipment and response vehicles. AFG also supports regional projects in which multiple organizations serving more than one local jurisdiction benefit directly from activities implemented with grant funds.

Since FY 2001, and including FY 2007, over $3.3 billion in AFG funding has been distributed to fire departments and first responder organizations to purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, vehicles and fire prevention activities. AFG is administered cooperatively by two FEMA components: the National Preparedness Directorate and the United States Fire Administration.

The full list of FY 2007 AFG recipients and other information is posted on the AFG website (www.firegrantsupport.com).

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Friday, 07-Sep-2007 07:26:46