ROUND TWENTY OF ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANTS TO AID AMERICA’S FIRE DEPARTMENTS ANNOUNCED BY FEMA

Over 5200 Fire Departments Have Now Received Over $367 Million to Dates

Washington, DC - Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced another 453 grants to fire departments throughout the U.S. this week in round twenty of the 2003 Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program. To date, over 5200 fire departments have received over $367 million to support their role as first responders in the neighborhoods and communities they serve as firefighters.

"As we continue to distribute these critical funds for our nation’s firefighters, I would like to take a moment to recognize the firefighters working so hard in California," said Brown. "The men and women of the nation's fire service are demonstrating their ongoing commitment to protecting lives and property. President Bush, Homeland Security and FEMA are just as committed to providing these firefighters with critical financial support through the AFG Program."

The Assistance to 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 1-866-274-0960, or via email at mailto:usfagrants@fema.gov. For the most current information regarding these grant awards, and any of the many other USFA projects, visit http://www.usfa.fema.gov/fire-service/grants/grants.shtm or enroll in the USFA email distribution listserv at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/applications/listserv/usfamail.cfm for the most current news releases from the USFA.

Note: The Fire Prevention and Safety Grant program is currently accepting applications. Log onto http://www.usfa.fema.gov/ for more information.

*Congratulations to the Connecticut Grant Award Recipients in the 20th Round

A. A. Young Jr. H&L Jewett City Fire Ops. and FF Safety $102,375

Marlborough Vol. Fire Co. Marlborough Fire Ops. and FF Safety $ 29,915

Milford Fire-Rescue Dept. Milford Fire Ops. and FF Safety $ 76,300

Newtown H&L Ladder Newtown Fire Ops. and FF Safety $ 80,717

Southport Vol. F.D. Fairfield Fire Ops. and FF Safety $ 23,467

Stepney Vol. F.D. Monroe Fire Ops. and FF Safety $ 63,317

Town of Colchester Colchester Fire Ops. and FF Safety $ 45,000

Total Awarded to Connecticut Fire Departments in 20th Round: $421,091

Total Awarded to Connecticut Fire Departments FY 2003: $3,808,543