WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley today said that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded competitive grants totaling $225,887 to two Iowa fire departments through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants’ Operations and Safety and Vehicle Acquisition Programs.
“It’s important that firefighters have the equipment needed to do their job to the best of their ability” Grassley said. “Their lives, and the lives of others, depend on it.”
FEMA will distribute the money as shown below ordered alphabetically by town.
• Essex Fire Rescue will receive $171,000 through the Vehicle Acquisition Program
• Onslow Volunteer Fire Department will receive $54,887 through the Operations and Safety Program
According to FEMA, Assistance to Firefighters Grants’ Operations and Safety Program grants are used to train firefighters, purchase equipment and improve fire stations and facilities. Vehicle Acquisition Program funds are used to purchase fire trucks and other pertinent vehicles.
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.