WASHINGTON – Chuck Grassley said that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded competitive grants totaling $692,360 to six Iowa Fire Departments through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants Operations and Safety and Vehicle Acquisition Programs.
“Day in and day out, firefighters put their lives on the line 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.”
FEMA will distribute the money as shown below ordered alphabetically by town.
Through the Operations and Safety Program:
•Dyersville Fire Department in Dyersville will receive $104,500.
•Lytton Fire Department in Lytton will receive $35,910.
Through the Vehicle Acquisition Program:
•Charlotte Community Fire Station in Charlotte will receive $153,900.
•Defiance Fire & Rescue in Defiance will receive $118,750.
•Lake City Fire Department in Lake City will receive $104,500.
•Lidderdale Fire Department in Lidderdale will receive $174,800.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grants Operations and Safety Program supplements training, equipment, personal protective equipment, wellness and fitness, and health and safety modifications to stations and facilities.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grants Vehicle Acquisition Program helps purchase vehicles including, but not limited to, pumpers, aerials, quints, brush trucks, tankers/tenders, rescue vehicles, ambulances, foam units and fireboats.
Each year, thousands of local Iowa organizations, colleges and universities, individuals and state agencies apply for competitive grants from the federal government. The funding is then awarded based on each local organization or individual’s ability to meet criteria set by the federal entity.