For Immediate Release                                                      CONTACT: Berry, Angela Guyadeen (202) 225-4076

February 1, 2007                                                                                        Lincoln, Katie Laning (202) 224-4843

                                                                                                                   Pryor, Crystal Waitekus (202) 224-2353

Washington, D.C. - Arkansas Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor along with U.S. Representative Marion Berry (AR-01) announced today that the Cove Creek-Pearson Fire Department, located in Quitman, has been awarded $43,225 through the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. This award will help the department enhance current operations and improve firefighter safety.

The purpose of the grant program is to provide first responders with additional training and equipment, which will enhance their abilities to protect the health and safety of the public and protect firefighters from job-related hazards. The DHS’s Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness administers the grant program in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.

"As first responders, our local firefighters play an integral role in keeping our communities safe," Lincoln said. "With these federal dollars, our fire departments will be able to purchase safety equipment to protect those in the line of duty so they can provide the best possible service to the citizens of their communities."

"The brave Cove Creek-Pearson firefighters deserve the very best in training, equipment and facilities," said Pryor. "This grant will go a long way to improve current operations and ensure they stay safe in the line of duty."

"Day after day firefighters put their lives on the line to defend our safety and their selfless loyalty to our communities is honorable," Berry said. "This federal assistance will help them to acquire the training and equipment necessary to keep them and their communities safe."

The Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program has been providing funding to fire departments and other first responders since 2001. To date, a total of $2.4 billion in grants through the AFG program has been awarded to first responder organizations to purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, and vehicles.