FEMA assistance granted Oklahoma

Friday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $161,960 in Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) to local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations in the state of Oklahoma.

Nationally, the fiscal year (FY) 2007 AFG awards, which will be distributed in phases, will ultimately provide over $490 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations throughout the country.

This week’s round of FY 2007 fire grants are being awarded to 179 fire departments and organizations nationwide, with an additional 31 awards being distributed from the FY 2006 funding.

“Since 2001, President Bush and Congress have made an investment of over $3 billion dollars so that thousands of fire departments can be prepared for all emergencies in their communities,” said U.S Fire Administrator Greg Cade.  “September is National Preparedness Month, and I would like to encourage all residents of this nation to join with their firefighters in preparing their families and businesses for all hazards, great and small.  I invite this nation to join with the fire service and have a 72 hour preparedness plan.  For more information visit www.ready.gov or www.fema.dhs.gov.”

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program includes grants to the fire departments and emergency medical services organizations in Oklahoma for:

FY 2007 AFG Awards

Prague Volunteer Fire Department   Operations and Safety   $111,720   Prague

Shidler Volunteer Fire Department   Operations and Safety   $28,356   Shidler

Bethel Road Volunteer Fire Department    Operations and Safety   $21,884   Lawton

AFG awards aim to enhance response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public with respect to fire and other hazards.  The grants enable local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations to purchase or receive training, conduct first responder health and safety programs, and buy equipment and response vehicles.  AFG also supports regional projects in which multiple organizations serving more than one local jurisdiction benefit directly from activities implemented with grant funds.

Since FY 2001, and including FY 2007, over $3.3 billion in AFG funding has been distributed to fire departments and first responder organizations to purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, vehicles and fire prevention activities.  AFG is administered cooperatively by two FEMA components:  the National Preparedness Directorate and the United States Fire Administration. 

Tulsa received awards in 2002, 2003, and 2006.  The full list of FY 2007 AFG recipients and other information is posted on the AFG website www.firegrantsupport.com.

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.