Round Twenty-Three Of The Assistance To Firefighters Grants To Aid America's Fire Departments Announced By FEMA
Oklahoma Receives $113,953 to Assist Local Fire Departments in Latest Round of Grants
Release Date: November 20, 2003
Release Number: R6-03-161
DENTON, Texas -- Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced 134 grants to fire departments throughout the U.S. in the twenty-third 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 four communities in Oklahoma, including grants to Bartlesville, Arkoma, Avant and Byron.
"As the holiday season approaches, we're aware of the increased number of house fires due to unattended candles, overloaded electrical outlets and flammable decorations. It's important that families safeguard their homes against these fire hazards, but it's equally critical that our first responders have the equipment and training they need to save lives and property if threatened," said Brown. "President Bush, Homeland Security and FEMA are committed to providing firefighters with this direct financial support through the fire grant program."
This twenty-third round of grants provides over $10 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 5800 fire departments have received nearly $406 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 departments in Oklahoma:
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Delaware Tribe Fire Department, Bartlesville - Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety ($29,700).
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Arkoma Volunteer Fire Department, Arkoma - Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety ($58,919).
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Avant Fire Department, Avant - Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety ($7,650).
- Byron Fire Department, Byron - Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety ($17,684).
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, 20-Nov-2003 09:29:01