Washington, D.C. -  U.S. Rep. Timothy V. Johnson today announced the award of three more federal grants for area fire departments in the latest round of the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants program.

      The recipients are:

       Edge-Scott Fire Protection District in Urbana, $33,013;

       Buckley Fire Protection District, $74,575;

       Ogden-Royal Fire Protection District, $47,144.

      The grants include money for operations and safety improvements such as hoses, new breathing apparatus and other basic equipment.

      “I’m always proud to be able to announce these awards because these first responders are on the front lines of protecting the safety and security of all of us,” Rep. Johnson. “Local governments are limited in what they can do in this regard so it’s not too much to ask the federal government to assist.”

      The Assistance to Firefighters Grants program is part of the Administration’s larger, coordinated effort to strengthen the nation’s overall level of preparedness for fire and emergency-related disasters.

      Under the current-year program, $485 million will be awarded on a competitive basis to fire departments and emergency medical service organizations.

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