Assistance To Firefighters Grant Award Announced To Aid City Of Bayard Volunteer Fire Department  

Release Date: August 29, 2003
Release Number: R6-03-92

Denton, TX -- Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced 402 grants to fire departments throughout the U.S. in the twelfth round of the 2003 Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program. The grants will ultimately total approximately 7,000 awards worth $750 million in direct assistance to firefighters. Included in the announcement was an $18,360 award to the City of Bayard Volunteer Fire Department for fire operations and firefighter safety.

"Thousands of first responders know first hand that President Bush is committed to providing them with the support and resources necessary to respond to all emergencies in their communities," said Under Secretary Brown. "This funding shows that saving lives and property are a shared priorities of our dedicated first responders and Homeland Security."

This twelfth round of grants provides $33.5 million to help local fire departments fund the purchase of firefighting equipment, fund firefighter health and safety programs, enhance emergency medical services programs, and conduct fire prevention and safety programs.

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), administers the Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program. 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, 29-Aug-2003 09:23:53