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FIRST RESPONDER INITIATIVE

In response to September 11, 2001, the Bush Administration announced the USDA First Responder Initiative to support rural emergency responder efforts by prioritizing the financing for needed equipment and lifesaving services.    USDA Rural Development provides assistance (primarily loans but with some limited grant funds) for a variety of community facilities such as:  libraries, courthouses, fire and rescue facilities and equipment, police and emergency vehicles and services, and other community focused facilities and services.  The following types of projects are emphasized through this initiative:

     Fire Protection Equipment                               Police Station
     Fire Station                                                  Police Car
     Fire Truck                                                    Civil Defense Buildings
     Ambulance/Rescue - Equipment or Building         Hospital
     Emergency Response Training                          Physicians Clinic
     Outpatient Care                                            Early Storm Warning System  
     Office Building (Health Care)                            Migrant Health Centers
     County Health Department Office                     Animal Shelter–Veterinarians        
     Food Preparation Distribution Center                 Communications Center
     Mobil Communications Center                           Education Facilities for Emergency

Following are examples of projects that are categorized as First Responder projects: