Fire departments receive millions in FEMA grants

Fire departments receive millions in FEMA grants

Florida fire departments and emergency medical services organizations have received nearly $400,000 in funding through FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program. Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders to obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

"Through the AFG program, the Federal Emergency Management Agency provides funding to local communities for new equipment and training to help give emergency responders the tools they need to respond effectively to fires and other disasters." said FEMA Regional Administrator Phil May.

Nationally, this week’s grants total $21 million. The AFG program includes three kinds of awards: Fire Grants, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants and Fire Prevention and Safety grants (FP&S). Today’s grants to Florida organizations are:

The fiscal year (FY) 2008 AFG awards, which are being distributed in phases, will ultimately provide about $500 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations throughout the country.