Sen. Chuck Grassley today encouraged local fire departments in Iowa to apply for funding through the fiscal 2004 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. Many Iowa fire departments have benefitted from this program in the past, including 270 fire departments in Iowa that received more than $15.9 million in the fiscal 2003 funding.
The application period is from Monday, March 1 through 5:00 p.m. (EST) on Friday, April 2.
"I strongly encourage all Iowa fire departments to learn more about this program and apply for assistance," Grassley said. "The federal government has made this money available to help local fire departments that are increasingly important to our homeland security efforts. But, we can't help them if we don't know their needs and can evaluate their situation."
This program provides funds to rural, urban and suburban fire departments throughout the United States. Funds can be used by fire departments to increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, to improve firefighter health and safety programs and to establish or expand fire prevention and safety programs.
The application and program guidance, including a tutorial on the program and a list of Frequently Asked Questions, will be accessible from the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Domestic Preparedness website (www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp) and U.S. Fire Administration's website (www.usfa.fema.gov).
Any fire departments that have questions regarding the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program should contact the fire grant help desk at (866)274-0960.
"Any departments that may be applying for assistance can contact my office and I will be happy to send a letter to the Department of Homeland Security supporting their application," Grassley said. "The increased security demands of the last few years have placed a heavy burden on first responders across the county. I hope Iowa communities will take full advantage of this program."
The Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security's Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP). Through the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2004, Congress provided $750 million for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and transferred administration of the program for the Federal Emergency Management Administration to ODP.