WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley said that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded a $29,301 competitive grant to the Hiawatha Fire Department through the Fire Prevention and Safety Program.
"Firefighters put their lives on the line every day for the good of the community," Grassley said. "It's important that firefighters have the necessary equipment and training to help keep the community safe."
The Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program is a component of the Department's Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program, which provides funding to mitigate deaths and injuries to the public and firefighters caused by fire and fire-related hazards. The Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program also supports firefighter safety research and development activities.
The funding is part of round one of the federal grants awarded from this program for fiscal 2008. The goal of the program is to enhance the ability of local fire departments to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of first responder personnel.