(EMAILWIRE.COM, April 18, 2008 ) OAKLAND –The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $1,709,772 in Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Fire Prevention and Safety grants and SAFER grants to local fire departments and emergency medical service organizations in the state of California. Nationally, the fiscal year (FY) 2007 AFG awards, distributed in phases, will ultimately provide over $490 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations throughout the country.

“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 meet their needs,” said United States Fire Administrator Greg Cade. “The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program continues to serve as a major effort by FEMA to ensure the nation’s firefighters continue to have the basic capability they require to do their jobs, improve community safety and prevent the loss of lives.”



This week’s round of national fire grants amounts to almost $15 million dollars and includes grants provided to the following fire departments and emergency medical services organizations in California for:



FY 07/SAFER AFG Awards

City of Orange Fire Department
Hiring
$1,709,772


California Total
$1,709,772





AFG/SAFER awards aim to enhance response capabilities and to protect more effectively the health and safety of the public with respect to fire and other hazards. The grants enable local fire departments and emergency medical service 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 website (www.firegrantsupport.com).



FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.


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