Kildee Announces $109,725 in 5^th District Law Enforcement and First Responder Awards

WASHINGTON - Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced today that local fire and police departments would receive a total of $109,725 in funding for new equipment.  These awards are being made by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Justice under the Fiscal Year 2005 Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program. 

“We must continue to provide more funding to ensure the safety and preparedness of first responders, the brave men and women who continually risk their lives to protect our lives,” said Kildee.  “This funding will strengthen local emergency preparedness by helping to equip our first responders with the tools they need to protect their communities, and themselves, during an emergency.”

The recipients in Congressman Kildee’s District are listed below:

CEDAP helps meet the equipment needs of smaller jurisdictions by providing communications interoperability, information sharing, chemical detection, sensors, personal protective equipment, technology, and training in using the equipment, devices, and technology. Awards are made to law enforcement and emergency responder agencies not currently eligible for funding through the Homeland Security Department’s Urban Areas Security Initiative grant program.  The program is highly competitive; the 5^th District award recipients were among 1,100 police and fire departments nationwide to win awards out of more than 4,000 applicants.

The CEDAP program has the strong backing of the national law enforcement community including the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA).