|
Washington, D.C.- Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded $142,200 to three fire departments in the 5th Congressional District. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Fire Administration awarded these funds to the Fairgrove Fire Department (Tuscola), Portsmouth Township Fire Department (Bay County) and the Argentine Township Fire and Rescue (Genesee) under the 2003 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program for Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety.
“We must continue to provide more funding to ensure the safety and preparedness of those brave men and women who continually risk their lives to protect our lives,” said Kildee. “These funds will enable our local fire departments to pursue new training and wellness programs and to provide them with access to new equipment.”
These local fire departments were selected to receive federal grants in order to help fund training activities and purchase new protective firefighter equipment. The Fairgrove Fire Department (Tuscola) will receive $51,525, the Portsmouth Township Fire Department (Bay County) will receive $10,800 and the Argentine Township Fire and Rescue (Genesee) will receive $79,875 under FEMA’s Firefighters Grant Program.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is designed as an opportunity for the U.S. Congress to work with Federal Emergency Management Agency to enhance basic fire service delivery across the country. Fire Departments nationwide will receive over $750 million to support fire protection, EMS delivery, and vehicle purchase and prevention programs in 2003. FEMA received approximately 19,950 applications this year from fire departments across the country. The Fairgrove Fire Department, Portsmouth Township Fire Department, and Argentine Township Fire and Rescue were three of only nineteen Michigan fire departments that were fortunate enough to receive grants under the latest round of funding. The competitive grant was awarded to these three local fire departments after a national peer review process was conducted involving over 300 fire service leaders who evaluated and scored each application. |
