FEMA Provides $317,842 To Four Oregon Fire Departments In Latest Round Of Fire Grants 

Release Date: December 14, 2007
Release Number: R10-08-036

» 2007 Region X News Releases

SEATTLE, Wash. -- Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $317,842 in Assistance-to-Firefighters-Grants (AFGs) to four fire departments and emergency medical services organizations in Oregon. 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 latest round of grants will push the total to over 3,000 fire departments who have received funding thus far through the 2007 fire grants," said U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade. "Providing grant dollars to firefighters across this nation illustrates the continued support we provide the men and women who work to keep us safe each and every day."

"We're particularly pleased to be able to continue this support before the holidays," added FEMA's Region 10 Administrator Susan Reinertson. "The US Fire Administration estimates that fires occurring during the holiday season injure 2,600 individuals, and cause over $930 million in damage annually. Each additional grant dollar awarded will better prepare our region's local fire departments to respond to such emergencies."

This week's round of national fire grants amounts to almost $33 million and includes grants to the following fire departments in Oregon:

Lake Creek Rural Fire District # 8 Operations and Safety $ 25,194
Lorane Rural Fire Protection District Vehicle Acquisition $ 161,500
Gladstone Fire Department Operations and Safety $ 83,648
Netarts-Oceanside RFPD Operations and Safety $ 47,500

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, 14-Dec-2007 07:51:22