Release Date: August 24, 2007
Release Number: R10-07-047
SEATTLE, Wash. -- Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $92,696 in Assistance-to-Firefighters Grants (AFG) to fire departments in Idaho for those department's Operations and Safety initiatives. 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.
This week's round of FY 2007 fire grants are being awarded to 158 fire departments and organizations nationwide, with an additional 27 awards being distributed from the FY 2006 funding.
"This week, I and many of the nation's fire service leadership will join other fire service leaders from around the world in Atlanta for the annual Fire and Rescue International conference hosted by the International Association of Fire Chiefs," according to US Fire Administrator Greg Cade. "One of the major highlights of this conference every year, is the opportunity to hear first hand how these valuable AFG grants have made a significant and positive impact on all fire departments as the firefighter of this nation continue to apply these grants to the direct safety and services they provide for their communities."
This week, the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program includes grants to the fire departments and emergency medical services organizations in Alaska for:
FY 2007 AFG Awards
Gateway Fire Protection District
Operations and Safety
$31,160
Sandpoint Fire Department
Operations and Safety
$61,536
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 services 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 government's 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: Friday, 24-Aug-2007 13:48:27