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| August 11, 2006 |
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| WASHINGTON, DC - Montana's Congressman, Denny Rehberg, announced the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Grants and Training, in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration, has awarded two Montana fire departments a total of $104,570 in federal money from the Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program (AFGP). The Central Valley Fire District of Belgrade has been awarded $65,250, with $39,320 being awarded to the Livingston Fire and Rescue Department. “Montana’s firefighters provide a courageous and vital service to our communities, and the money from this grant program is well spent on their safety, training, and equipment purchases,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program awards one-year grants directly to fire departments in two separate areas: • Operations and Firefighter Safety Program. Includes training, equipment, personal protective equipment, wellness and fitness, and modifications to fire stations and facilities. • Firefighting Vehicles Acquisition Program. Includes pumpers, brush trucks, tankers/tenders, rescue vehicles, ambulances, quints, aerials, foam units, and fireboats. “This is good news for our firefighters,” said Captain John Culbertson, of the Central Valley Fire District, where the grant will help buy new waterproof portable radios. “Communication plays an important role in the safety and efficiency of fighting a fire, and having reliable radios is a huge safety benefit when working a fire scene,” he said. The Livingston Fire and Rescue Department will also use the funding to purchase new communication equipment. |
