Washington, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) announced today that the New Caney Fire Department was awarded a $41,918 grant.  The funds were awarded from the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program.  The purpose of the FY 2007 AFG is to award grants directly to fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations.

“This grant provides our first responders with the resources they need to deliver the best emergency response to the local community.  They are the first on the scene and risk their lives for the community; I’m honored to congratulate the New Caney FD on receiving this grant and recognize the tremendous contribution they have made ensuring the area is safe and properly prepared in the event of an emergency,” said Brady.

New Caney received funding from the Operations and Safety Program Area.  The funds can be used for training, equipment, personal protective equipment, wellness and fitness, and health and safety modifications to stations and facilities.

Jeff Taylor, New Caney Fire Chief, welcomed the grants as a way to provide better service to the community, “We're very grateful for the grant funding from Department of Homeland Security.  The funding provided by the AFG program will assist with an essential need to better serve the residents of our fire district.  With these funds we’ll be able to install emergency power generators at our fire stations.  We’ll also be able to provide a complete fitness and wellness program for our firefighters.”

In Fiscal Year 2007, the AFG program will award approximately $490 million directly to fire departments and EMS organizations to enhance their response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public and emergency response personnel with respect to fire and all other hazards.  Using a competitive process overseen by fire service subject matter experts, AFG grants are awarded to applicants whose requests best address the priorities of the AFG program.