Four Washington Fire Department To Share A Total Of $466,956 In Firefighter Assistance Grant Awards From FEMA 

Release Date: November 21, 2007
Release Number: R10-07-020a

» 2007 Region X News Releases

SEATTLE, Wash. -- Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded four grants, totaling $466,956, to Fire Departments in Washington State. These grants, awarded under the federal agency’s Assistance-to-Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, will be applied to those department’s operations and safety initiatives.

“As the holiday season rapidly approaches, now is a wonderful time for all residents of the nation to check smoke alarms and review home fire escape plans to ensure we all have a safe holiday season,” said Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator Charlie Dickinson. “I encourage all residents to review important holiday cooking, heating and decorating recommendations by the FEMA, the USFA, state and local fire officials throughout the nation. Together, we can make this a safe holiday season.”

This week’s round of national fire grants amounts to nearly $14.7 million and includes grants to the following Washington State fire departments:

Klickitat County Fire Protection Dist. #5

Centerville

Operations and Safety

$ 118,132

Douglas County FPD #5

Mansfield

Operations and Safety

$ 82,744

Stevens County Fire District #11

Colville

Operations and Safety

$ 63,462

Port Angeles Fire Department

Port Angeles

Operations and Safety

$ 202,618

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 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: Wednesday, 21-Nov-2007 15:19:47