Round Twenty-Seven Of The Assistance To Firefighters Grants To Aid America's Fire Departments Announced By FEMA
Idaho Receives $251,896 to Assist Local Fire Departments in Latest Round of Grants
Release Date: December 19, 2003
Release Number: R10-04-62
BOISE, Idaho -- Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced 484 grants to fire departments throughout the U.S. in the twenty-seventh 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 were awards for three Idaho communities, including grants to Moscow, Indian Valley and Glenns Ferry.
"Putting these funds directly into fire departments across the country has enabled our first responders to receive the training and equipment necessary to save lives and property when threatened by any hazard," said Brown. "President Bush, Secretary Ridge and I wish our nation's first responders a safe and happy holiday. We thank these brave men and women for their service over the past year, and will remain steadfast in our commitment to support America's firefighters in 2004."
This twenty-seventh round of grants provides over $46.8 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. Since June, nearly 7300 fire departments have received over $564 million to support their role as first responders in the neighborhoods and communities they serve as firefighters. Idaho grants announced this week included the Moscow Volunteer Fire department ($101,461 for fire operations and firefighter safety); Indian Valley Rural Fire Department ($82,935 for fire operations and firefighter safety) and King Hill Rural Fire District ($67,500 to purchase a firefighting vehicle).
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. Current award recipients announced to date are 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 the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Friday, 19-Dec-2003 08:28:55