Homeland Security Announces Grants To Minnesota Fire Departments To Support Key First Responders 

Minnesota Receives $330,488 Million to Assist Firefighters in First Round of Grants

Release Date: June 13, 2003
Release Number: R5-03-03e

Chicago, IL -- Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced today the first 219 grants of what will ultimately total approximately 7,000 grants worth $750 million in direct assistance to firefighters from the 2003 Assistance to Firefighter Grant program. Included in the announcement were awards for seven communities, including Easton, Odin, Chandler, Rockford, Danube, Naytahwaush and Gheen.

"The Assistance to Firefighters Grant program is a great example of how Homeland Security is putting key resources directly into neighborhoods and communities to better secure the homeland," said Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge.

The first round of grants included $13.3 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.

"Providing these funds to the local fire departments is key to President Bush's commitment to support the men and women who protect our communities," said Brown.

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

Easton Fire Dept., Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety, $54,321

Odin Fire Dept., Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety, $42,075

Chandler Vol. Fire Dept., Firefighting Vehicle, $83,250

Rockford Vol. Fire Dept., Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety, $73,592

Danube Fire Department, Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety, $27,900

Twin Lakes Volunteer Fire Dept., Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety, $43,320

Greaney Rauch Silverdale Vol. Fire Dept., Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety, $6,030

For more information on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, please visit www.usfa.fema.gov. Each week's recipients, including those announced in this first round, will be made available each Friday morning.

Last Modified: Thursday, 10-Jul-2003 08:55:28