Grants will be awarded to fire departments in Chelsea, East Peru, Oyens, Seymour and Tracy through the Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety program. The fire department in Sabula will receive a grant through the Firefighting Vehicle program and the fire department in West Burlington will receive a grant through the Fire Prevention program.
"It's important that we support the local citizens who are on the frontlines of community safety efforts," Grassley said. "This funding will help make our communities safer by providing needed resources to Iowa's first responders."
The Chelsea Fire Department will receive $22,032 and the East Peru Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $13,824 grant. The Oyens Fire Department will receive $35,918, the Seymour Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $11,700 grant and the Clay Township Fire Department in Tracy will receive $32,121 in grant funding.
These departments will receive funding through the Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety program, which supports training of firefighting personnel, establishing wellness and fitness programs for firefighters, purchasing firefighting equipment and personal protective equipment, and modifications to fire stations and facilities.
The Sabula Volunteer Fire Department will receive $85,500 through the Firefighting Vehicle Acquisition program, which helps fire departments purchase new and updated vehicles.
The West Burlington Fire Department will receive $44,550 through the Fire Prevention program, which supports public education and awareness activities, fire code enforcement activities, fire inspector certifications, purchase and installation of smoke alarms and fire suppressions systems, wildland fire mitigation, and arson prevention and detection activities.
This funding is part of the first round of funding through the 2003 Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program, which will distribute $750 million in assistance to firefighters throughout the year. Grassley said that FEMA received nearly 20,000 applications for grant awards this year.