The purpose of the grant program is to provide first responders with additional training and equipment which will enhance their abilities to protect the health and safety of the public and protect firefighters from job-related hazards. The DHS Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness administers the grant program in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.

“Our rural communities rely heavily on their fire departments and it’s imperative that we ensure they have the necessary equipment and resources to do their jobs adequately and safely,” Ross said. “I am proud to join with my colleagues today to announce these funds so that the families and residents of Buena Vista will know that their fire department has the necessary resources to keep them safe.”

"As first responders, our local firefighters play an integral role in keeping our communities safe," Lincoln said. "With these federal dollars, those in the line of duty will receive the additional training and equipment necessary to protect themselves and to protect the citizens of Buena Vista."

“The volunteer firefighters in Buena Vista are unyielding in their efforts to keep the community safe. This commitment is demonstrated by their hard work to receive this grant award for a new truck but also in their everyday service to protect families in Buena Vista,” Pryor said.  “I will continue to advocate for adequate funding on the federal level for programs that support our local firefighters.”

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program has been providing funding to fire departments and other first responders since 2001. To date, a total of $2.2 billion in grants through the AFG program has been awarded to first-responder organizations to purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, and vehicles.

–30–