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 $618,461 to Iowa Fire Departments through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants’ Operations and Safety and Vehicle Acquisition Programs.
“It’s vital 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.
•Cedar Falls Fire Rescue will receive $110,340 through the Operations and Safety Program
•Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Department will receive $218,785 through the Vehicle Acquisition Program
•Sigourney Fire and Rescue will receive $25,722 through the Operations and Safety Program
•West Burlington Fire Department will receive $263,614 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.