Round Twenty-Two Of The Assistance To Firefighters Grants To Aid America's Fire Departments Announced By FEMA 

Montana Receives $71,100 To Assist Local Fire Department In Latest Round Of Grants

Release Date: November 13, 2003
Release Number: R8-03-122

» 2003 Region VIII News Releases

Denver, Colo. -- Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced 193 grants to fire departments throughout the U.S. in the twenty-second 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 Joliet, Montana.

"Our nation's firefighters don't hesitate to answer the call to service when lives and property are threatened. To ensure the safety of these first responders, we'll continue to provide funding through the fire grant program for equipment and training," said Brown. "President Bush, Secretary Ridge and I are committed to providing firefighters with the critical financial support they need to protect their communities against all hazards."

This twenty-second round of grants provides over $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. Since June, over 5600 fire departments have received nearly $396 million to support their role as first responders in the neighborhoods and communities they serve as firefighters.

Grants have been made available to the following fire department in Montana:

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 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: Thursday, 13-Nov-2003 17:02:06