SENATOR SUSAN COLLINS URGES FIRE DEPARTMENTS TO APPLY EARLY FOR FEMA ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Susan Collins is urging Maine fire departments to be ready to send in their applications to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for grants administered under the Firefighter Grant Program. Funding for this program has been increased from $100 million in FY 2001 to $360 million in FY 2002. Senator Collins, a longtime supporter of the grant program, is alerting fire departments that FEMA is expected to announce within the next few weeks its final application process.

The process this year will be primarily Internet based. Paper applications will continue to be accepted from those fire departments without Internet access, but use of the Internet is highly recommended, according to FEMA.

"This program is of immeasurable value to fire departments, which, as we''ve witnessed this year especially, are front-line responders in community and homeland security," said Senator Collins. "Securing assistance through the FIRE program is particularly important in Maine, where the rural nature of the state means that many of Maine''s 494 fire departments have to cover vast areas, making it difficult for communities to share services or otherwise cooperate in order to be most efficient.

"The people of Maine are fortunate to be served by 12,000 dedicated firefighters, heroic men and women who protect their communities by answering the call for help at all hours of the day and night," said Senator Collins. "I encourage any fire department to contact my State staff with any questions they may have about the grant program or application process."

Applications can be made for funds in the following categories: Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety Programs, Fire Prevention Programs, Emergency Medical Services Programs and a Firefighting Vehicles Program.

More information about the grant program is available at www.usfa.fema.gov.