Abercrombie (HI01) :: Press Release :: $653,000 in federal grants for Hawaii firefighters
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August 17, 2005
 

$653,000 in federal grants for Hawaii firefighters

 
 
Washington, DC -- Congressman Neil Abercrombie announced today that Honolulu and Maui firefighters will receive a total of $653,094 in grants from the U.S. Fire Administration, a division of the Department of Homeland Security.

 

The Honolulu Fire Department will receive $573,816 and the Maui Fire and Public Safety Department will receive $79,278 under the Operations and Firefighter Safety Program.

 

The grants can be used for training, equipment, personal protective equipment, wellness and fitness, and modifications to fire stations and facilities.

 

“We appreciate these grants,” said Abercrombie.  “They will help our first responders, the people who will be on the front line in protecting our communities.  Their commitment, courage and preparedness make a big difference in any emergency.

 

“At the same time,” Abercrombie noted, “we need to see the same kind of commitment from the Bush Administration and their Republican allies in Congress. Firefighters and other first responders in Hawaii and around the country put their lives on the line every day.  Our political leaders should recognize that dedication with a grant program that provides them with the resources to do the job.”

 

This February, Abercrombie joined other House Democrats in a letter to the Budget Committee protesting the Bush Administration’s $215 million budget cut to the Firefighter Grant Program.

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