Washington, D.C.  -  Congressman Mike Rogers congratulated the Dadeville Fire Department today for receiving a $175,500 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to help purchase a new fire truck, the unit’s second federal grant in less than a year.

“The men and women of the Dadeville Fire Department are citizens’ first line of defense,” Rogers said. “I congratulate our firefighters for receiving these funds, and thank them for all their efforts in protecting the people of Tallapoosa County.”

Rogers said in September the Dadeville Fire Department also received a $44,820 grant to assist the department with fire operations and safety.

The Firefighting Vehicles Acquisition Program, administered under the 2004 Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, awards funds to purchase pumpers, brush trucks, tankers, rescue, ambulances, quints, aerials, foam units, or fireboats.

Passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bush, the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program provides funds to the nation’s firefighters to increase the effectiveness of fire department operations, improve fire fighter health and safety programs, purchase new equipment, enhance EMS programs, and support prevention and safety programs.