Four Washington Fire Departments Share $679,127 in Firefighter Assistance Grants From FEMA
Release Date: December 7, 2007
Release Number: R10-08-031
SEATTLE, Wash. -- Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded four separate grants, totaling $679,127, in Assistance-to-Firefighters Grants to four fire departments in Washington. 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.
"While we continue to distribute these funds for firefighters throughout the nation, it is also a good time for me to remind all residents of the nation to know how to prevent cooking, heating and decoration fires, which become so frequent this time of year with the approaching holiday season," said U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade. "For easy to use fire safety tips and checklists, I encourage all individuals looking for these valuable tools to visit www.usfa.dhs.gov or www.Ready.gov ."
Nationally, this week's round of fire grants amount to over $16 million dollars. Grants to the four Washington fire departments were awarded for the following purposes;
| Clarkston Fire Department/Rescue One | Operations and Safety | $ 106,298 |
| Spokane County Fire District #9 | Operations and Safety | $ 246,789 |
| Walla Walla County Fire District # 4 | Operations and Safety | $ 64,790 |
| South Pierce Fire and Rescue | Vehicle Acquisition | $ 261,250 |
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, 07-Dec-2007 08:34:51