Homeland Security Official Presents $211,000 Check to Snohomish Co. Fire Protection District #3
Release Date: November 10, 2004
Release Number: R10-04-195
SEATTLE, Wash. -- U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency Regional Director John Pennington will be in Monroe Monday, 15 November 2004 at the Monroe Fire/Snohomish County Fire District #3 station (163 Village Court, Monroe, Washington) at 11 A.M. to present an Assistance to Firefighters Grant check for $210,926 to enhance operations and firefighter safety.
The Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program is administered by the Office for Domestic Preparedness and is designed to increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, new fire apparatus, EMS programs and Fire Prevention and Safety Programs.
“Our nation’s firefighters are the first responders into almost every emergency,” said FEMA Regional Director John Pennington. “The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program represents a major effort by the federal government to ensure that the nation’s firefighters continue to have the basic capability they need to do their jobs, improve safety, and save lives.”
According to Snohomish County Fire Protection District #3 Acting Fire Chief Jamie Silva, the grant will provide desperately needed communications equipment to improve interoperability and enhance firefighter safety. “This grant allows the district to replace aged VHF communications with a modern and FCC compliant system that allows us to communicate with neighboring jurisdictions,” said Silva. “In addition to radios and charging stations, Mobile Data Computer Systems (MDC) will allow ongoing and up to the minute incident updates to responding units without taxing critical radio frequencies.”
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA’s continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 10-Nov-2004 17:21:11