FEMA Official Presents $257,212 Check To North Whidbey Fire & Rescue
Release Date: December 17, 2008
Release Number: R10-09-011
SEATTLE, Wash. -- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Acting Regional Administrator Dennis Hunsinger will be in Oak Harbor Friday, 19 December 2008 at the North Whidbey Fire and Rescue station (2720 Heller Road) at 11 A.M. to present an Assistance to Firefighters Grant check for $257,212 to enhance operations and firefighter safety.
The Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program is administered cooperatively by two FEMA components: the Grant Programs Directorate and the United States Fire Administration. It is designed to help ensure that our nation's firefighters have the basic tools and resources necessary to safely perform their responsibilities, save lives, and continue to protect all residents from fire.
"Our nation's firefighters are the first responders into almost every emergency," said Hunsinger. "The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program represents a major effort by the federal government to ensure that the nation's firefighters continue to have the basic capability they need to do their jobs, improve safety, and save lives."
According to Fire Chief Marv Koorn, the grant will allow North Whidbey Fire and Rescue to replace their twelve year old low-pressure Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBAs) with modern, state-of-the-art equipment, compliant with current safety regulations and requirements. "This grant provides for 45 SCBA units," said Koorn. "The project incorporates extra bottles, voice amplifier masks and high pressure cascade units for refilling the bottles, which will greatly enhance our effectiveness in battling fires and saving lives, while providing extra protection for our firefighters."
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 17-Dec-2008 13:08:24