WASHINGTON –Chuck Grassley said today that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has awarded an $837,953 competitive grant to the Urbandale Fire Department through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.
“As the community’s first responders, it’s important that the Urbandale Fire Department be properly trained and adequately staffed,” Grassley said. “This funding will be used to recruit and retain firefighters to help keep Urbandale secure.”
This funding is part of the Assistance to Firefighter Grant program, “Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response.” Funds under this program support the hiring of firefighters and the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters to assure that communities have adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards.
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.