Round Twenty-Four Of Assistance To Firefighters Grants To Aid America's Fire Departments Announced By FEMA
Alaska Receives $314,428 In Latest Round Of Grants
Release Date: November 28, 2003
Release Number: R10-04-42
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced 635 grants to fire departments throughout the U.S. in the twenty-fourth round of the 2003 Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. This is the largest number of grants announced at one time in the 2003 AFG program, and totals $71.6 million for this week alone 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 Alaska communities including grants in Fairbanks & North Pole.
"President Bush, Secretary Ridge and I recognize that the training and equipment provided to our first responders through the fire grants is critical in securing our homeland because these brave men and women are our first line of defense against all hazards," said Brown. "I would like to wish our firefighters and their families a happy and safe Thanksgiving. We're grateful to our first responder community for its service and sacrifice."
This twenty-fourth round of grants provides help to local fire departments to 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 6400 fire departments have received over $478 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 Alaska:
- Chena-Goldstream Fire & Rescue $161,100
- North Pole Fire Department $153,328
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: Friday, 28-Nov-2003 08:24:03