Release Date: November 22, 2007
Release Number: R10-08-018
SEATTLE, Wash. -- Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded two small grants, totaling $16,177, to the Clark Fork Volunteer Fire Department ($9,432), and the South Boundary Fire Protection District ($6,745) in Idaho. These grants, awarded under the federal agencys Assistance-to-Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, will be applied to those departments operations and safety initiatives.
Thanksgiving is a time for sharing and caring throughout the United States, and not a time for recovering from a fire in our homes and businesses said U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade. These grants continue FEMAs commitment to ensure fire departments are receiving much needed funds to better protect the communities they serve.
This weeks round of national fire grants amounts to just over $13.3 million. 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. 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 service 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 governments 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: Thursday, 29-Nov-2007 13:15:50