FEMA Distributes Nearly $1 Million to Support Massachusetts Fire Departments
Release Date: September 28, 2007
Release Number: R1-07-031
Boston, Mass. -- Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $998,522 in Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) to local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations in the state of Massachusetts. Nationally, the fiscal year (FY) 2007 AFG awards, which will be distributed in phases, will ultimately provide over $490 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations throughout the country.
"I am proud to be part of a great program that assists in making our nation better prepared for emergencies and disasters," said US Fire Administrator Greg Cade. "I would also like thank our nation's first responders and organizations who worked so diligently this September to make National Preparedness Month 2007 such a successful effort to further prepare our nation."
This week's round of national fire grants amounts to nearly $22.9 million distributed to departments throughout the ten (10) FEMA Regional offices.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program includes grants to the fire departments and emergency medical services organizations in Massachusetts for:
| Blandford Fire Department | Operations and Safety | $91,181 | Blandford |
| Amesbury Fire Rescue | Operations and Safety | $207,176 | Amesbury |
| Byfield Fire Department | Operations and Safety | $23,869 | Byfield |
| Boston Fire Department | Operations and Safety | $71,704 | Boston |
| Chelsea Fire Department | Operations and Safety | $190,800 | Chelsea |
| Carver Fire Department | Operations and Safety | $167,072 | Dixmont |
| Town of Plymouth Fire Department | Operations and Safety | $246,720 | Plymouth |
AFG awards aim to enhance response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public with respect to fire and other hazards. The grants enable local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations to purchase or receive training, conduct first responder health and safety programs, and buy equipment and response vehicles. AFG also supports regional projects in which multiple organizations serving more than one local jurisdiction benefit directly from activities implemented with grant funds.
Since FY 2001, and including FY 2007, over $3.3 billion in AFG funding has been distributed to fire departments and first responder organizations to purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, vehicles and fire prevention activities. AFG is administered cooperatively by two FEMA components: the National Preparedness Directorate and the United States Fire Administration.
The full list of FY 2007 AFG recipients and other information is posted on the AFG website (www.firegrantsupport.com) .
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: Friday, 28-Sep-2007 13:43:46