Assistance To Firefighters Grant Awards Announced To Aid America's Firefighters
Washington Receives $734,660 to Assist Local Fire Departments in Latest Round of Grants
Release Date: August 15, 2003
Release Number: R10-03-94
Salem, OR -- 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 were awards for nine communities in Washington, including grants to Tenino, Wishram, Othello, Rosalia, Hunters, Wellpinit, Ruston, Palmer, and Orting.
"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.
Grants have been made available to the following fire departments in Washington:
- Thurston County Fire Dist. #12, $84,209 for fire operations and firefighter safety.
- Wishram Fire Dept. (Klickitat Co. FDP #11), $202,500 for a firefighting vehicle.
- Adams Co. Fire District #5, $37,485 for fire operations and firefighter safety.
- Rosalia Volunteer Fire Dept, $61,833 for fire operations and firefighter safety.
- Stevens County Fire District #2, $56,700 for fire operations and firefighter safety.
- Spokane Tribal Fire Department, $175,500 for a firefighting vehicle.
- Ruston Fire Department, $14,417 for fire operations and firefighter safety.
- King County Fire Protection District #47, $56,079 for fire operations and firefighter safety.
- City of Orting Fire Department, $45,937 for fire operations and firefighter safety.
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 08:23:42