U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-Bainbridge Township) today announced that fire departments in Munson, Mentor, Hiram and Northfield Village will receive more than $186,000 in federal funding through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The departments will use the funding to purchase new equipment and enhance firefighter safety.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Fire Administration (UFA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office for Domestic Preparedness.  It assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments across the country.  Volunteer, paid and combination departments can seek funding.

LaTourette said the following departments will receive grants in this round:

• Munson -- $14,449
• Hiram -- $50,083
• Mentor -- $59,026
• Northfield Village -- $63,176

 “This is great news for these departments,” LaTourette said.  “With budgets so tight, the federal assistance allows departments to buy needed equipment that they otherwise couldn’t afford.”

 LaTourette said $500 million in FIRE grants is available with Fiscal Year 2008 funding, and several additional funding announcements are expected.  Fire departments and EMS organizations can apply for grants in two areas – Operations and Safety or the Vehicle Acquisition Program. The Operations and Safety program includes grants for training, equipment, personal protective equipment, wellness and fitness, and health and safety modifications to stations and facilities.  Under the Vehicles program, departments can apply for grants for pumpers, brush trucks, tankers, rescue vehicles, ambulances, aerials, foam units, and fireboats.