860 Fire Departments Share $92M in Homeland Security Grants

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced $91.8 million in direct assistance grants to 860 fire departments and first responder organizations through the department’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.

Since 2001, the AFG has provided $2.4 billion in grants to fire departments and first responder organizations for response equipment, personal protective equipment, vehicles, and fire prevention activities. DHS received more than 18,000 applications for nearly $2.5 billion in grant requests in FY06.

“Firefighters are among those on the front lines of our homeland security,” said Under Secretary for Preparedness George Foresman. “This program gets critically important resources for equipment and training to America’s first responders and supports their continued service to our country.”

The AFG is administered by the department’s Directorate for Preparedness through its Office of Grants and Training, in cooperation with the United States Fire Administration, also within the Preparedness Directorate.

Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security