FEMA Official Presents Check For $107,190 To Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue 

Release Date: February 6, 2009
Release Number: 1817-009

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OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Federal Coordinating Officer Willie Nunn will be in Kelso on 10 February, 2009, at the Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue headquarters station, 701 Vine Street at 2 p.m. to present an Assistance to Firefighters Grant check for $107,190 to enhance operations and firefighter safety. The grant will be used for installation of vehicle-exhaust systems in the stations.

The Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program is administered cooperatively by two FEMA components: the Grant Programs Directorate and the United States Fire Administration. It is designed to help ensure that our nation's firefighters have the basic tools and resources necessary to safely perform their responsibilities, save lives, and continue to protect all residents from fire.

"Our nation's firefighters are the first responders in almost every emergency," said Dennis Hunsinger, Acting Administrator for FEMA Region 10. "The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program represents a major effort by the federal government to ensure that the nation's firefighters continue to have the basic capability they need to do their jobs, improve safety, and save lives."

According to Assistant Fire Chief Alan Headley, "The grant will allow Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue to install a vehicle exhaust filtration system in four of our fire stations that will instantly capture diesel fumes, diesel soot, diesel gases and other airborne particulates and contaminates. This will create a safer, healthier environment for the physical well being of our firefighters that we would not be able to afford to provide without this grant."

FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.

Last Modified: Monday, 09-Feb-2009 15:19:35