Homeland Security Announces Eighth Round Of Assistance To Firefighters Grant Awards 

Washington State Receives $850,000 To Assist Local Fire Departments

Release Date: August 1, 2003
Release Number: R10-03-84

» 2003 Region X News Releases

Seattle, WA -- Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced 247 grants to fire departments throughout the U.S. in the eighth round of the 2003 Assistance to Firefighter Grant program. Included in the announcement were awards for five communities in Washington, including grants to Bow, Granite Falls, Camas, Kennewick and Yakima.

In just the last seven weeks, over 1,700 fire departments have received more than $108 million to support their role as first responders in the neighborhoods and communities they serve as firefighters.

"It's a privilege to announce that thousands of first responders are better prepared to answer the call because DHS and FEMA have given more than $108 million directly to enhance their capabilities. Our first responders are daily on the front lines, protecting our homeland and its citizens from all hazards, natural and man-made," said Brown. "President Bush's commitment and leadership has made this critical first responder funding a reality."

The grants will ultimately total approximately 7,000 awards worth $750 million in direct assistance to firefighters, and will help local fire departments with the purchase of firefighting equipment, fund firefighter health and safety programs, enhance emergency medical services programs, and conduct fire prevention and safety programs.

Grants have been made available to the following fire departments in Washington for fire operations and firefighter safety:

The Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The program assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments throughout the United States. A list of all current award recipients announced to date is posted on the USFA web site at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/grants. Future grant recipients will be listed as awards are made.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration."

Last Modified: Friday, 01-Aug-2003 09:01:33