7 Virginia Fire Departments Get Assistance To Firefighters Grants
Release Date: November 28, 2003
Release Number: R3-03-132
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced 635 grants to fire departments throughout the United States in the 24th round of the 2003 Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.
This round totals $71.6 million and contains the largest number of grants announced at one time for 2003. The announcement includes awards totaling $916,828 for seven Virginia communities: Remington, Boydton, Woodstock, Amissville, Rixeyville, Saltville and Mouth of Wilson.
“President Bush, Secretary Ridge and I recognize that the training and equipment provided to our first responders through the fire grants is critical in securing our homeland because these brave men and women are our first line of defense against all hazards,” said Brown. “I would like to wish our firefighters and their families a happy and safe Thanksgiving. We’re grateful to our first responder community for its service and sacrifice.”
This 24th round of grants provides help to local fire departments to 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, more than 6,400 fire departments have received almost $478 million to support their role as first responders in the neighborhoods and communities they serve.
Grants have been made available to the following fire departments in Virginia:
- Remington Volunteer Fire & Rescue Dept., Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety, $61,740
- Palmer Springs Volunteer Fire Dept. in Boydton, Firefighting Vehicle, $166,500
- Shenandoah County Dept. of Fire & Rescue in Woodstock, Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety, $40,588
- Amissville Volunteer Fire & Rescue Co., Firefighting Vehicle, $112,500
- Little Fork Volunteer Fire and Rescue Co. in Rixeyville, Firefighting Vehicle, $225,000
- Nebo Fire Dept. in Saltville, Firefighting Vehicle, $166,500
- Rugby Volunteer Rescue Squad and Fire Dept. in Mouth of Wilson, Firefighting Vehicle, $144,000
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 is posted on the USFA web site at http://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 the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Friday, 28-Nov-2003 13:57:08