Assistance To Firefighters Grant Awards Announced To Aid America's Firefighters
Texas Receives $1,417,717 To Assist Local Fire Departments In Latest Round Of Grants
Release Date: August 29, 2003
Release Number: R6-03-94
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 Firefighters Grant program. The grants will ultimately total approximately 7,000 awards worth $750 million in direct assistance to firefighters. Included in the announcement of this latest round were awards for nineteen communities in Texas, including grants to Atlanta, Benbrook, Brazoria, Bremond, Cedar Creek, Crockett, Forest Hill, Groves, Lakeside City, League City, Leroy, Maud, McKinney, Rising Star, Smithville, Southmayd, Sunnyvale, Texas City and Troy.
"In just 12 short weeks, over 3000 fire departments are receiving critical funding appropriated by Congress and signed into law by President Bush," said Under Secretary Brown. "This funding shows not only the commitment of Homeland Security through FEMA to distribute these funds quickly, but underline a commitment by President Bush and Secretary Ridge to firefighters of this nation."
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.
Grants have been made available to the following fire departments in Texas:
- Atlanta Texas Fire Department/EMS, Atlanta - Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety ($24,300).
- Benbrook Fire Department, Benbrook - Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety ($55,395).
- Brazoria Volunteer Fire Department, Brazoria - Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety ($44,460).
- Bremond Volunteer Fire Department, Bremond - Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety ($63,428).
- Bluebonnet Volunteer Fire Department, Cedar Creek - Firefighting Vehicle ($76,050).
- Austonio Volunteer Fire Department, Crockett - Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety ($17,280).
- Forest Hill Fire Department, Forest Hill - Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety ($32,507).
- Groves Fire Department, Groves - Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety ($15,525).
- Lakeside City Volunteer Fire Department, Lakeside City - Firefighting Vehicle ($148,500).
- City of League City Fire Department, League City - Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety ($118,800).
- Leroy Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., Leroy - Firefighting Vehicle ($54,000).
- Maud Volunteer Fire Department, Maud - Firefighting Vehicle ($123,300).
- McKinney Fire Department, McKinney - Fire Prevention ($25,751).
- Rising Star Volunteer Firefighters Association, Inc., Rising Star - Firefighting Vehicle ($108,000).
- Heart of the Pines, Smithville - Firefighting Vehicle ($121,500).
- Southmayd Fire Department, Southmayd - Firefighting Vehicle ($108,000).
- Sunnyvale Fire Rescue, Sunnyvale - Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety ($33,101).
- Texas City Fire Department, Texas City - Fire Operation and Firefighter Safety ($98,658).
- Troy Volunteer Fire Department, Troy - Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety ($149,162).
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 09:32:39