America's Firefighters To Receive $485 Million In Grants 

Minnesota Receives $473,772 to Assist Local Fire Departments in Latest Round of Grants

Release Date: November 3, 2006
Release Number: R5-06-033

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today $8,072,570 in direct assistance grants to 163 fire departments and first responder organizations through the department’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. Additional phases will soon be announced that will total $485 million in AFG grant awards to approximately 5,000 fire-related organizations nationwide.

“Emergency response is inherently local, and these resources support those who serve us all, our nation’s firefighters,” said Under Secretary for Preparedness George Foresman. “By building emergency response capability through training and first responder equipment, the AFG program is helping to strengthen readiness throughout the country. These are smart investments that protect our firefighters and help to save lives in our communities.”

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program includes grants to the following fire departments and emergency medical services organizations in Minnesota:

Sanborn Volunteer Fire Dept.

Sanborn

Operations and Safety

$ 53,153

Vernon Center Fire Department

Vernon Center

Operations and Safety

$ 68,353

Holdingford Volunteer Fire Department

Holdingford

Operations and Safety

$ 62,538

Woodbury Fire Department

Woodbury

Operations and Safety

$ 86,800

Argyle Volunteer Fire Department

Argyle

Operations and Safety

$ 25,365

Halstad Volunteer Fire Department

Halstad

Operations and Safety

$ 59,343

Cass Lake Rural Fire Association

Cass Lake

Operations and Safety

$ 23,829

Center City Fire Department

Center City

Operations and Safety

$ 26,599

Biwabik Township First Responders

Gilbert

Operations and Safety

$ 15,215

Mahtowa Volunteer Fire Department

Mahtowa

Operations and Safety

$ 13,718

Nevis Fire Department

Nevis

Operations and Safety

$ 38,859

 

Since 2001, the AFG has provided $2.4 billion in grants to fire departments and first responder organizations for response equipment, personal protective equipment, vehicles and fire prevention activities. DHS received more than 18,000 applications for nearly $2.5 billion in requests in FY06.

The AFG program awards grants to firefighters, emergency response personnel and first responders throughout the country to enhance response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of first responders and citizens in their communities. AFG grants provide resources for training, first responder health and safety programs, and response equipment and vehicles.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is administered by the department’s Directorate for Preparedness through its Office of Grants and Training (G&T) in cooperation with the United States Fire Administration, also a division within the Preparedness Directorate.

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Monday, 06-Nov-2006 02:49:07