Washington, D.C. – Secretary Tom Ridge announced 32 additional grants totaling over $3.6 million to fire departments this week from the fiscal year 2003 Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) program. Since June of 2003, more than 8,600 fire departments have received over $693 million from the 2003 AFG program to support their role as first responders in the neighborhoods and communities they serve as firefighters.
The 2003 Assistance for Firefighters Grant 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. The 2003 funds were used by the nation’s firefighters to increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, fund firefighter health and safety programs, acquire new fire apparatus, support emergency medical service programs, and fund fire prevention and safety programs.
“We continue to work closely with the fire service to meet their needs through the Assistance to Firefighters grant program,” said Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response. “Even as the fire service is receiving grant awards from the 2004 program, President Bush, Secretary Ridge and I remain steadfast in our commitment to ensure every dollar possible from past programs is distributed to this nation’s firefighters.”
Fire departments with questions regarding the FY 2003 Assistance to Firefighters Grant program can reach the FEMA Grant Program staff at (866) 274-0960, or via email at usfagrants@fema.gov. For the most current information regarding AFG program, visit www.usfa.fema.gov.
