FEMA Announces Nineteenth Round Of Grants To Aid America's Firefighters
Washington State Receives $1,382,566 To Assist Local Fire Departments In Latest Round Of Grants
Release Date: October 23, 2003
Release Number: R10-04-17
Seattle, WA -- Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced 156 grants to fire departments throughout the U.S. in the nineteenth 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 eight communities in Washington State, including grants to Yakima, Dayton, Palouse, McCleary, Sequim, Maple Valley, Snoqualmie and Federal Way.
"President Bush's support of first responders is unprecedented, as evidence through this grant program which puts resources directly into our nation's fire departments and the communities they serve," said Brown. "As I told the International Association of Fire Chiefs last week, the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA are committed to our first responders and will continue providing critical financial support to this courageous and dedicated group. I'd also like to remind departments that the 2003 Fire Prevention and Safety Grant application period is currently open."
This nineteenth round of grants provides nearly $21 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.
Grants have been made available to the following fire departments in Washington:
- Yakima County Fire Department #4, $181,409 for fire operations and firefighter safety.
- Dayton Fire Department, $88,200 for fire operations and firefighter safety.
- Palouse Fire Department, $35,878 for fire operations and firefighter safety.
- City of McCleary, $140,779 for fire operations and firefighter safety.
- Clallam County Fire District No. 3, $363,124 for fire operations and firefighter safety.
- Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety, $386,359 for fire operations and firefighter safety.
- City of Snoqualmie - Fire Division, $43,065 for fire operations and firefighter safety.
- Federal Way Fire Department, $143,752 for Emergency Medical Services.
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 http://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, 23-Oct-2003 10:46:09