CONGRESSMAN WALSH ANNOUNCES FEDERAL FIRE GRANT MONIES TO TWO AREA FIRE DEPARTMENTS

 $150,051 in Grant Monies Awarded to Protect Volunteer Firefighters and Residents

(Washington D.C.)- Rep. James T. Walsh today announced that two 25th Congressional District Fire Departments are among the latest recipients of grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.

Seneca River Fire District will receive $134,305, and the Newark Fire Department will receive $15,746, as part of fiscal year 2006 funding secured by Congressman Walsh. These grants are part of over $1.41 million received to date by 25th Congressional District fire departments through the Assistance to Firefighters Program for FY 2006.

Seneca River Fire District will use the funding to purchase new SCBAs (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus), turnout gear, and an air filtration system to remove diesel fumes in the station. Newark Fire Department plans to replace their firefighter's pagers, which have become outdated.

Congressman Walsh is a member of the Congressional Fire Caucus and is an original co-sponsor of the program's authorizing legislation. As Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on VA/HUD and Independent Agencies with former oversight over FEMA, Walsh was directly responsible for funding the FIRE program in its first three fiscal years of existence. In April 2004, Walsh was named the Congressional Fire Services Institute Legislator of the Year for his efforts in preserving the program. To date, $2.4 billion in grant monies have been awarded through the AFG program.

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