WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today $10,320,874 in direct assistance grants to 112 fire departments and first responder organizations through the department’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. Additional phases will soon be announced that will total $485 million in AFG grant awards to approximately 5,000 fire-related organizations nationwide.
“Emergency response is inherently local, and these resources support those who serve us all, our nation’s firefighters,” said Under Secretary for Preparedness George Foresman. “By building emergency response capability through training and first responder equipment, the AFG program is helping to strengthen readiness throughout the country. These are smart investments that protect our firefighters and help to save lives in our communities.”
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program includes grants to the following fire departments and emergency medical services organizations:
Wall Volunteer Fire Department
Walls, Mississippi
$142,690
Operations and Safety
Movella
Lucedal, Mississippi
$201,400
Vehicle Acquisition
Church Hill EMS
Church Hill
Tennessee
$33,777
Operations and Safety
Giles County Fire & Rescue, Inc.
Pulaski, Tennessee
$145,350
Operations and Safety
West Roane County Volunteer Fire Department
Rockwood, Tennessee
$52,686
Operations and Safety
West Valley Volunteer Fire Department
Whitwell, Tennessee
$26,594
Operations and Safety
Magnolia Springs VFD
Magnolia Springs, Alabama
$34,200
Operations and Safety
Forest Home Volunteer Fire Department
Forest Home, Alabama
$62,920
Operations and Safety
Hackneyville Volunteer Fire Department
Alexander City, Alabama
$24,045
Operations and Safety
Clements Fire Department, Inc
Athens, Alabama
$34,466
Operations and Safety
Curry Volunteer Fire and Rescue
Jasper, Alabama
$83,505
Operations and Safety
City of Umatilla Volunteer Fire Department
Umatilla, Florida
$34,338
Operations and Safety
Larue County Fire and Rescue
Hodgenville, Kentucky
$143,260
Operations and Safety
Roxobel Volunteer Fire Department
Roxobel, North Carolina
$227,264
Vehicle Acquisition
Altamahaw Ossipee Volunteer Fire Department
Elon, North Carolina
$111,796
Operations and Safety
Oak Island Fire Department
Oak Island, North Carolina
$43,179
Operations and Safety
Southport Volunteer Fire Department
Southport, North Carolina
$42,750
Operations and Safety
Crossnore Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.
Crossnore, North Carolina
$88,540
Operations and Safety
Town of Catawba Volunteer Fire Department
Catawba, North Carolina
$59,869
Operations and Safety
Since 2001, the AFG has provided $2.4 billion in grants to fire departments and first responder organizations for response equipment, personal protective equipment, vehicles and fire prevention activities. DHS received more than 18,000 applications for nearly $2.5 billion in requests in FY06.
The AFG program awards grants to firefighters, emergency response personnel and first responders throughout the country to enhance response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of first responders and citizens in their communities. AFG grants provide resources for training, first responder health and safety programs, and response equipment and vehicles.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is administered by the department’s Directorate for Preparedness through its Office of Grants and Training (G&T) in cooperation with the United States Fire Administration, also a division within the Preparedness Directorate.