Massachusetts Fire Departments Receive More Than $1 Million
Boston - Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $1,039,857 in Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) to fire departments in the state of Massachusetts. Nationally, the fiscal year (FY) 2007 AFG awards, which will be distributed in phases, will ultimately provide over $490 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations throughout the country."Through these funds, we will ensure that our nation’s emergency responders have the equipment and training they need to respond to all hazards," said U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade. "We recognize the importance of the Fire Act Grants to our nation’s fire departments and we will continue to work closely with the fire service community to prepare them to meet any and all hazards."
This week's round of national fire grants includes the following in Massachusetts:
| Fire Department |
Program | Grant Amount | City |
| Town of Athol Fire Department | Operations and Safety | $103,607 | Athol |
| Pittsfield Fire Department | Vehicle Acquisition | $675,000 | Pittsfield |
| Town of Savoy | Vehicle Acquisition | $261,250 | Savoy |
AFG awards aim to enhance response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public with respect to fire and other hazards. The grants enable local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations to purchase or receive training, conduct first responder health and safety programs, and buy equipment and response vehicles. AFG also supports regional projects in which multiple organizations serving more than one local jurisdiction benefit directly from activities implemented with grant funds.
Since FY 2001, and including FY 2007, over $3.3 billion in AFG funding has been distributed to fire departments and first responder organizations to purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, vehicles and fire prevention activities. AFG is administered cooperatively by two FEMA components: the National Preparedness Directorate and the United States Fire Administration.
The full list of FY 2007 AFG recipients and other information is posted on the AFG Web site www.firegrantsupport.com
The full list of recent news releases are posted on the FEMA Region I Web page.
