Sen. Chuck Grassley announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded a total of $787,374 in one-year grants to nine fire departments in Iowa.
The federal dollars are provided through Assistance to Firefighters grant program. Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety grants have been awarded to Armstrong, Ottumwa, Redfield, Templeton and Wapello. The funds can be used to train firefighting personnel, establish wellness and fitness programs for firefighters, and purchase firefighting equipment and personal protective equipment.
Firefighting Vehicles Acquisition grants have been awarded to Atalissa, Jefferson, Quimby and Rake. These funds can be used to purchase pumper trucks, brush trucks, tankers, rescue vehicles, ambulances, quints, aerials, foam units and fireboats.
"Firefighters and other first responders play a central role in community safety efforts," Grassley said. "This funding will help make sure that they are prepared to respond to emergencies and protect area residents."
This funding is part of the 28th round of firefighter grants made for fiscal 2003. According to FEMA, they received 20,000 applications for the $750 million in grant funding available for fiscal 2003.
Here is the amount awarded to each community.
| Armstrong Benefitted Fire Department Atalissa Community Fire Department, Inc. Jefferson Fire Department Ottumwa Fire Department Quimby Community Fire Department Rake Fire Department Redfield Fire/EMS Templeton Community Fire Department Wapello Volunteer Fire Department |
$20,700 $247,500 $134,550 $130,950 $33,741 $81,000 $56,610 $35,073 $47,250 |