Washington, D.C. – Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced another 216 grants to fire departments this week in round thirty one of the fiscal year 2003 Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) program. Since June of 2003, more than 8100 fire departments have received almost $651 million to support their role as first responders in the neighborhoods and communities they serve as firefighters.
“President Bush, Secretary Ridge and I maintain our commitment to support America’s firefighters with the distribution of these critical funds, and encourage fire service leaders to visit both the USFA and DHS websites for more information about the FY04 program,” said Brown. “This grant program, appropriated by Congress, will continue to provide the fire service with the equipment and training necessary for first responders to fulfill their mission.”
The Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments throughout the United States. These funds are used by the nation’s firefighters to increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, new fire apparatus, emergency medical service programs, and fire prevention and safety programs.
Fire departments having questions regarding the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program can reach the FEMA Grant Program staff at (866) 274-0960, or via email atusfagrants@fema.gov. For the most current information regarding these grant awards visitwww.usfa.fema.gov.
