Round Thirty-Three Of The Assistance To Firefighters Grants To Aid America's Fire Departments Is Announced By FEMA
Idaho State Receives $74,620 to Assist Local Fire Department in Latest Round of Grants

Release Date: February 12, 2004 Release number: R10-04-088

BOISE, Idaho -- Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced another 114 grants to fire departments this week in round thirty-three of the fiscal year 2003 Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) program. Since June of 2003, over 8400 fire departments have received almost $673 million to support their role as first responders in the neighborhoods and communities they serve as firefighters. Included in the announcement of this latest round was an award to the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department for $74,620 to enhance fire operations and firefighter safety.

“President Bush, Secretary Ridge and I maintain our commitment to support America’s firefighters with the distribution of these critical funds to our nation’s fire departments,” said Brown. “It’s crucial that these brave men and women have the equipment and training necessary to answer the call and respond to all hazards, man-made or natural.”

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments throughout the United States. These funds are used by the nation’s firefighters to increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, new fire apparatus, emergency medical service programs, and fire prevention and safety programs.

Fire departments having questions regarding the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program can reach the FEMA Grant Program staff at 1-866-274-0960, or via email at usfagrants@fema.gov. For the most current information regarding these grant awards, and any of the many other USFA projects, visit www.usfa.fema.gov or enroll in the USFA email distribution list for the most current news releases from the USFA.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.