Washington, D.C.  -  U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers congratulated the Leesburg Fire Department and the Gaylesville Fire Department today for receiving $288,000 in grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, money Rogers said would help the Cherokee County fire departments purchase new fire trucks.

“The men and women of the Leesburg and Gaylesville fire departments are the area’s first line of defense,” Rogers said. “This grant will provide direct support for their work, and ultimately help make Cherokee County a safer place to live.”

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.

Rogers said Leesburg Fire Department would receive $153,000 and Gaylesville Fire Department would receive $135,000. Both grants will be used to purchase new fire fighting vehicles.

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.