"Fire and Rescue Departments are stalwarts of our communities and it is vital that we ensure they are adequately supported so that they can respond to emergencies in a timely manner," said Senators Snowe and Collins in a joint statement. "Funding awarded by the Department of Homeland Security will provide greater financial stability to our local heroes and allow them to better serve our communities."
The funds will be allocated as follows: • $30,685 to the New Sharon Fire and Rescue • $16,910 to the Fort Fairfield Fire Department • $47,120 to the York Beach Fire Department • $63,650 to the Bremen Volunteer Fire Department • $54,340 to the Monmouth Rescue Association • $19,000 to Lisbon Emergency, Inc.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP) awards one-year grants directly to fire departments to support the nation's firefighters and the services they deliver. For the fiscal year 2005 program, Congress appropriated $650 million in direct assistance to firefighters to improve the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, and to establish or expand fire prevention programs throughout the United States. The Department of Homeland Security's Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP) administers the program, in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), administers the Assistance for Fire Fighters Grant Program. The program assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments throughout the United States.
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