FEMA To Present $556,694 To Winston Fire Department

Release Date: March 11, 2004 Release number: R10-04-096

SALEM, Ore. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Regional Director John Pennington will present a fire grant check for $556,694, as part of FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, Tuesday, 16 March 2004 at 1:00 p.m. (Winston Dillard Fire District Headquarters, 250 SE Main, in Winston).

The FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is designed to increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, new fire apparatus, EMS programs, and fire prevention and safety programs.

“Our nation’s firefighters are the first responders into almost every emergency,” said FEMA Regional Director John Pennington. “Through this award program, President Bush and Congress have provided FEMA the opportunity to significantly enhance the Fire and EMS services they provide to Americans.”

According to Winston Dillard Fire District Fire Chief Stan Wagaman, the lion’s share of the grant will allow the installation of radio repeaters throughout the Douglas County radio tower system. “The Winston Dillard Fire District protects a population of 15,000 over 310 square miles,” said Wagaman. “The terrain we operate over presents real challenges to interoperability and radio communication. This grant will allow all Douglas County Fire Districts a repeated channel and provide for 97 percent coverage throughout the county.”

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.