WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, joined House colleagues from both parties today in passing a five-year Fire Grants Reauthorization Act.  Rehberg has consistently used his influential position on the House Appropriations Committee to ensure these important programs receive adequate resources.

“While all Montanans need firefighters’ services, there are a lot of communities that just can’t afford to run a fire department locally,” said Rehberg a member of the House Appropriations Committee, and the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “This critical source of funding can help all of Montana’s fire departments save lives and safely protect our communities.”

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program comes from the Department of Homeland Security and is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). AFG grants are designed to assist local fire departments and emergency medical organizations with operational expenses, personnel training, and safety equipment and vehicles purchases. Montana has received $44.46 million in AFG grants since 2001.

In Montana the SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) Grant Program provides direct funding to fire departments and volunteer organizations to help improve emergency responses and increase the number of trained, “front-line” firefighters.  Since 2005, when SAFER began, Montana has been awarded $5.88 million in SAFER funding.

Chief Rich Cowger, Chairperson of the Montana State Fire Chiefs Association and Chief of Columbus Fire and Rescue, stressed that these fire grants provide essential funding to local fire departments particularly during lean times.

“Due to the downturn in the economy, local budgets can’t keep up with our equipment and staffing needs,” he said.  “These grants are a lifesaver for our local fire departments and they keep our communities and our firefighters safe.  I can’t thank Representative Rehberg enough for supporting these programs and helping Montana’s firefighters.”