By Staff
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) today announced that the Department of Homeland Security has awarded the Niles Township Fire Department $54,486 under the Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program.
This grant program is in support of America's firefighters as first responders in the neighborhoods and communities they serve.
The funding will go toward the purchase of new equipment including one thousand feet of fire hose, new radios and pagers, training material and protective gear to keep the members of the department safer.
"With the difficult and dangerous jobs our firefighters perform every day, it is critical for our local fire departments to receive the necessary funding to protect the public," said Upton. "Our local firefighters are so vital to the public safety needs of our communities. This grant will enable the Niles Township Fire Departments to purchase state of the art equipment and continue the tradition of providing first class service to the community."
Upton requested the Niles Township funding from the Assistance for Firefighters Grant program which helps our nation's firefighters, both volunteer and professional, do their jobs by providing funds that can be used for training programs and for the purchase of firefighting equipment.
"We are grateful for Congressman Fred Upton's strong support of the Niles Township Fire Department," said Niles Township Fire Chief Craig Lear. "This grant will help further our efforts in protecting the residents of Niles Township. With new equipment including 30 jumpsuits and 30 pairs of gloves, one thousand feet of five inch fire hose and new pagers and radios, our firefighters will be safer and will be able to respond more quickly in the event of an emergency."
The Department of Homeland Security has announced another 177 grants to fire departments this week in round twenty-five of the 2003 Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) program. Since June, over 6600 fire departments have received almost $495 million to support their role as first responders in the neighborhoods and communities they serve as firefighters.
"This direct funding is essential to train and equip our first responders who protect lives and property against all hazards in our communities each day," said Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response. "President Bush, Secretary Ridge and I remain steadfast in our commitment to support America's firefighters and appreciate Congress' leadership in appropriating these grant monies."
The 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. These funds are used by the nation's firefighters to increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, fire fighter health and safety programs, new fire apparatus, emergency medical service programs, and fire prevention and safety programs.
Upton is a member of the Fire Services Caucus is a long-time advocate of the Firefighters Grant Program.