2 Maryland Fire Companies Get Assistance To Firefighters Grants 

Release Date: November 7, 2003
Release Number: R3-03-114

Philadelphia - Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced 242 grants to fire departments throughout the United States in the 21st round of the 2003 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program.

Included in the announcement of this latest round were 2 awards totaling $44,964 for Maryland fire departments in Cumberland and Hagerstown.

"In California we have seen the benefits of the suppression efforts made by the nation's firefighters, and it underscores the importance of putting fire grant funds directly into the communities," said Brown. "President Bush, Homeland Security and FEMA are committed to the prevention of all fires, as we are to providing firefighters with the critical financial support they need, through the AFG program."

This 21st round of grants provides more than $14 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. To date, over 5,400 fire departments have received more than $380 million to support their role as first responders in the neighborhoods and communities they serve as firefighters. The grants will ultimately total approximately 7,000 awards worth $750 million in direct assistance to firefighters.

Grants have been made available to the following fire departments in Maryland:

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), administers the Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program. A list of all award recipients announced to date is posted on the USFA web site at www.usfa.fema.gov/grants.

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, 07-Nov-2003 14:03:55