FEMA Announces Eighteenth Round Of Grants To Aid America's Firefighters
Irwin Receives $173,250 to Assist Local Fire Department in Latest Round of Grants
Release Date: October 9, 2003
Release Number: R10-04-10
Boise, ID -- Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced 122 grants to fire departments throughout the U.S. in the eighteenth round of the 2003 Assistance to Firefighters 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 $173,250 to Greater Swan Valley Fire District #2 for a firefighting vehicle.
"President Bush has proclaimed this National Fire Protection Week, and Secretary Ridge and I reaffirm our commitment to a homeland safe from fire and the other threats," said Brown. "The Department of Homeland Security and FEMA uphold this commitment through direct financial support to fire departments nationwide and the communities they serve. These grant monies provide our first responders with the equipment and training needed to fight fires and protect Americans from all hazards."
This eighteenth round of grants provides over $12 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: Thursday, 09-Oct-2003 08:58:33