Los Angeles - Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, Mayor Jim Hahn and Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski today announced the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has been awarded $750,000 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to fund a formal wellness program, which will provide health and fitness care including medical exams for all uniformed LAFD members.
 
"This grant from the Department of Homeland Security will help
the City of Los Angeles continue its crucial efforts to help ensure the safety of the people of Los Angeles by protecting the brave and committed firefighters who put their lives at risk everyday on our behalf," said Mayor Jim Hahn.  "I commend the leadership of Councilwoman Miscikowski and Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard for remaining committed to public safety here in Los Angeles."

"The City of LA is pleased to accept these funds, which will ensure the health of our firefighters' and gives them the ability to meet the demands of securing our communities," said Councilmember Miscikowski.  "I appreciate Mayor Hahn's continuing efforts to increase funding for our first responders."

Last week, Homeland Security Department Secretary Tom Ridge granted more than 300 fire departments throughout the United States with a total of more than $35 million of funding through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP).  The AFGP awards one-year grants directly to fire departments to support the nation's firefighters and the services they deliver, including funding to purchase firefighting equipment, administer firefighter health and safety programs, enhance emergency medical services programs, and conduct fire education and prevention programs.

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34), a member of the Appropriations homeland security subcommittee in Congress, urged homeland security officials during a congressional hearing last year to grant the funding to
the City of Los Angeles.

"I am pleased that the Department of Homeland Security responded to my concerns and awarded the City of Los Angeles' Fire Department the maximum amount under this grant," Congresswoman Roybal-Allard said.  "As a new budget season gets underway, I will fight to prevent the 30 percent cut to the FIRE Act as proposed by the President for Fiscal Year 2006.  These brave men and women put their lives on the line on a daily basis.  Providing them with the resources necessary to protect our communities is the least we can do."

"The United Firefighters of Los Angeles City is pleased the fire department has been awarded this grant and we look forward to working closely with the Department on its implementation," said United Firefighters of Los Angeles City President Pat McOsker.