ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS ROUND NINE AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT TOTALS MORE THAN $26.5 MILLION

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the United States Fire Administration (USFA) are pleased to announce the ninth round of 2002 Assistance to Firefighter Grant Awards for 390 fire departments. The monetary investment announced in this round exceeds $26.5 million for fire departments throughout the United States. Eight Connecticut fire departments are recipients in the latest round with $1,000,410 in grant funding.

"The USFA continues to rapidly develop and announce these important financial awards. The USFA anticipates beginning the Fire Prevention Grant Award announcements in early January 2003. As we end and begin these projects, and the many other initiatives here at the USFA, I would ask for you to help other departments, fire officers and firefighters to become aware of the importance of visiting the USFA website frequently." said USFA Administrator R. David Paulison.

President Bush and the Congress have made this significant investment possible through the USFA, which is a part of FEMA. These funds will be used by the nation's firefighters to increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, fire fighter health and safety programs, new fire apparatus, EMS programs, and Fire Prevention and Safety Programs. FEMA and the USFA expect to announce a total of at least 5500 grants before the end of the calendar year. The total of all awards, when completed, will represent a $360M investment to enhance fire and EMS service delivery nationwide.

The Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments throughout the United States. A list of all current award recipients announced to date is posted on the USFA web site at www.usfa.fema.gov/grants. Future grant recipients will be listed as awards are made.

Congratulations to the Connecticut F.D. Grant Recipients in this round:

Community Fire Company of North Grosvenordale $62,677 Fire Operations & Firefighter Safety

East Hartford Fire Department $62,150 Fire Operations & Firefighter Safety

Enfield Fire District No. 1 $156,771 Fire Operations & Firefighter Safety

Gaylordsville Vol. Fire Dept. $98,838 Fire Operations & Firefighter Safety

Lebanon Vol. Fire Department $134,274 Fire Operations & Firefighter Safety

Middletown Fire Department $198,433 Fire Operations & Firefighter Safety

Mortlake Fire Company $213,295 Fire Operations & Firefighter Safety

Windham Center Fire Department $73,972 Fire Operations & Firefighter Safety