Washington, D.C. – Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced $8.7 million for 109 Fire Prevention and Safety grants that are part of the fiscal year 2003 Assistance to Firefighter Grant program (AFG). The Fire Prevention and Safety aspect of the AFG program reserves the highest priority for projects focusing on the prevention of fire-related injuries to children. Many of these awards represent innovative solutions for the delivery of fire prevention activities throughout the United States.
In announcing this year’s firefighter grant program recipients Brown said, “President Bush and Secretary Ridge are committed to this program. They understand the needs of local fire departments and see this grant program as another tool to effectively serve our communities across the country.”
The Fire Prevention and Safety program is the non-competitive portion of the Assistance to Firefighters program. The grants are made available to fire departments and other organizations, especially national, state, local, and community organizations that are recognized specifically for their experience and expertise in fire prevention or safety programs and activities.
The fiscal year 2003 AFG program is administered by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments throughout the United States. On June 4, 2004, Homeland Security’s Office of Domestic Preparedness began distributing funds for the fiscal year 2004 AFG program.
Fire departments having questions regarding the fiscal year 2003 AFG program can reach the FEMA Grant Program staff at 1-866-274-0960, or via email at firegrants@dhs.gov. For the most current information regarding these grant awards, and any of the many other USFA projects, visit www.usfa.fema.gov.
