Round Twenty-Three Of Assistance To Firefighters Grants To Aid America's Fire Departments Announced By FEMA
Washington Fire Departments Receive $172,521 In Latest Round Of Grants
Release Date: November 20, 2003
Release Number: R10-04-37
SEATTLE, Wash. -- Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced 242 grants to fire departments throughout the U.S. in the twenty-third 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 two Washington communities, including grants to Medical Lake and Tonasket.
"In California we have seen the benefits of the suppression efforts made by the nation's fire fighters, and it underscores the importance of putting fire grant funds directly into the communities," said Brown. "President Bush, Homeland Security and FEMA are committed to the prevention and preparedness of all fires, as we are to providing firefighters with the critical financial support they need, through the AFG program."
This twenty-third round of grants provides over $10 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. Since June, over 5800 fire departments have received over $406 million to support their role as first responders in the neighborhoods and communities they serve as firefighters.
Grants have been made available to the following fire departments in Washington to enhance fire operations and firefighter safety:
- Medical Lake Fire Department $142,394
- Okanogan County Fire Protection District 12 $ 30,127
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: Tuesday, 25-Nov-2003 12:10:14