Michael D. Brown, under secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced $3.8 million for 103 Fire Prevention and Safety grants that are part of the fiscal year 2003 Assistance to Firefighter Grant program (AFG). The Fire Prevention and Safety aspect of the AFG program reserves the highest priority for projects focusing on the prevention of fire-related injuries to children.
"These awards are incredibly critical when you consider they go toward the prevention of fire-related injuries to our children," said Brown. "President Bush, Secretary Ridge and I want to make sure that all of our families and communities are safer by providing our first responders with the necessary tools and equipment to do their jobs."
The Fire Prevention and Safety program is the non-competitive portion of the Assistance to Firefighters program. The grants are made available to fire departments and other organizations, especially national, state, local and community organizations that are recognized specifically for their experience and expertise in fire prevention or safety programs and activities.
The fiscal year 2003 AFG program is administered by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), part of FEMA, and assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments throughout the United States. On June 4, 2004, Homeland Security's Office of Domestic Preparedness began distributing funds for the fiscal year 2004 AFG program.
Fire departments having questions regarding the fiscal year 2003 AFG program can reach the FEMA Grant Program staff at 1-866-274-0960, or via e-mail at [email protected].
