Washington, DC  -  Congressman Mike Rogers congratulated the men and women of the Childersburg Fire and Rescue Department and the Lanier Volunteer Fire Department today for receiving $235,947 in grants.

Rogers said Childersburg should receive $77,297 to help purchase new safety equipment, and Lanier should receive $158,650 to help purchase a new firefighting vehicle. Both grants are administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and should provide critical support for local first responders.

“Talladega County’s first responders are our first line of defense,” Rogers said. “I congratulate the men and women of the Childersburg Fire Department and the Lanier Volunteer Fire Department for receiving these grants, and hope they will ultimately help increase the safety for all local citizens.”

Rogers said funding for the grants is included under the 2005 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, an essential Federal program which supports first responders across Alabama and the nation. “I would also like to thank State Representative Ron Johnson for his assistance with these projects,” Rogers said.

Rogers is Chairman of the Subcommittee on Management, Integration and Oversight on the Committee on Homeland Security in Congress. “I am pleased to see the Federal government is continuing to make these types of investments in East Alabama,” he added.