Assistance To Firefighters Grant Awards Announced To Aid America's Firefighters 

Hope Receives $56,000 to Enhance Fire Operations & Firefighter Safety

Release Date: August 15, 2003
Release Number: R10-03-92

» 2003 Region X News Releases

Boise, ID -- Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced 371 grants to fire departments throughout the U.S. in the tenth round of the 2003 Assistance to Firefighter 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 was an award of $56,141 to the Sam Owen Fire District to enhance fire operations and firefighter safety.

"Thanks to the commitment of President Bush and Congress, the firefighter grant program provides first responders with the funding for training and equipment needed," said Under Secretary Brown. "These critical resources directly impact communities nationwide by helping firefighters respond safely and effectively to all emergencies."

This tenth round of grants provides more than $24.2 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.

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, 15-Aug-2003 08:23:15