The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program awards one-year grants to help fire departments improve firefighting operations, strengthen firefighter health and safety programs, and establish or expand fire prevention programs throughout the country. These funds are part of the $650 million Congress approved for 2005 to support fire departments nationwide. The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness administers the program, in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.

The awards for the 1^st District of Arkansas include:

·        $57,276     Grange Calamine Volunteer Fire Department for operations and safety

·        $41,591     Quitman Volunteer Fire Department for operations and safety

·        $131,571   Black Rock Volunteer Fire Department for vehicle acquisition

·        $118,750   Biscoe Fire Department for vehicle acquisition

·        $171,000   Austin Volunteer Fire Department for vehicle acquisition

·        $67,336     Buffalo Island EMS for vehicle acquisition

·        $112,338   Casscoe Volunteer Fire Department for vehicle acquisition

·        $25,166     Butlerville Volunteer Fire Department for operations and safety

·        $50,160     Batesville Fire Department for operations and safety

·        $45,600     Diaz Volunteer Fire Department in Newport for operations and safety

·        $90,250     Pleasant Plains Volunteer Fire Department for vehicle acquisition

·        $171,000   Ravenden Springs Volunteer Fire Department for vehicle acquisition

·        $57,570     Marion Fire Department for operations and safety

·        $261,250   DeValls Bluff Volunteer Fire Department for vehicle acquisition

·        $180,500   Cherry Valley Fire Department for vehicle acquisition

·        $142,500   Glencoe Fire Department for vehicle acquisition